18 October 2007

 

 

Mike Gapes MP

Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee

House of Commons

London SW1A 0AA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following my appearance before the Committee on 10 October, I wrote to set out in detail where the UK red lines were reflected in the draft Reform Treaty. As I mentioned, some of the provisions, in particular those relating to Justice and Home Affairs are very complex. To provide further explanation, I attach an annex explaining how the provisions relating to each red line (on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Common Foreign and Security Policy, Justice and Home Affairs, and Tax and Social Security) ensure the UK's concerns have been met.

 

I hope these are helpful in setting out the deal secured by the UK, and I look forward to continuing contacts with the Committee as the parliamentary ratification process takes place.

 

I am copying this letter to the Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, the Chairman of the Lords EU Select Committee; the clerks of all three Committees; Tom Hines, FCO Scrutiny coordinator; Guy Janes, FCO Parliamentary Relations Coordinator; and to Les Saunders at the Cabinet Office European Secretariat.

 

I have arranged for the annex to this letter to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAVID MILIBAND