House of Commons portcullis
House of Commons
Session 2007 - 08
Internet Publications
Other Bills before Parliament

European Union (Audit of Benefits and Costs of UK Membership) Bill


 

European Union (Audit of Benefits and Costs of UK Membership) Bill

 

 
 

Contents

1   

Committee of inquiry into costs and benefits of the UK’s membership of the EU

2   

Terms of reference

3   

Report of the Commission

4   

Expenses

5   

Short title

 

Bill 41                                                                                                 

54/3

 
 

European Union (Audit of Benefits and Costs of UK Membership) Bill

1

 

A

Bill

To

Establish a Commission to carry out regular audits of the economic costs and

benefits of the UK’s membership of the European Union; and for connected

purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and

consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present

Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1       

Committee of inquiry into costs and benefits of the UK’s membership of the

EU

(1)   

The Chancellor of the Exchequer must appoint a committee of inquiry to report

to him on the matters set out in section 2—

(a)   

within six months of the date on which this Act is passed, and

5

(b)   

subsequently, every five years.

(2)   

The committee of inquiry shall be called the EU Membership Audit

Commission (“the Commission”).

(3)   

The Chancellor of the Exchequer shall appoint seven members to serve on the

Commission, one of whom shall be appointed as chairman.

10

(4)   

In appointing members under subsection (3), the Chancellor of the Exchequer

must seek to ensure that—

(a)   

there is a balance of those in favour and those against the UK’s

continued membership of the EU;

(b)   

the chairman is someone who is broadly neutral on the matter;

15

(c)   

no member has been—

(i)   

a member of the European Parliament, or

(ii)   

an employee of the European Commission.

(5)   

The Treasury

(a)   

shall make available to the Commission such administrative and other support

20

as the Commission reasonably requires to fulfill its functions;

(b)   

may pay to members of the Commission such remuneration and allowances as

it considers appropriate.

 

Bill 41                                                                                                 

54/3

 
 

European Union (Audit of Benefits and Costs of UK Membership) Bill

2

 

(6)   

Subject to the provisions of this section, the Commission may conduct its

proceedings in such manner as it considers appropriate.

2       

Terms of reference

The terms of reference of the Commission shall be to examine the costs and

benefits of the UK’s continued membership of the European Union, taking into

5

account the impact of membership on the UK’s—

(a)   

economy (including consideration of public expenditure and receipts

resulting directly from membership),

(b)   

national security and defence, and

(c)   

constitutional arrangements.

10

3       

Report of the Commission

(1)   

The Commission shall report to the Chancellor within twelve months of its

appointment.

(2)   

The Chancellor of the Exchequer shall provide a copy of the Commission’s

report to the National Audit Office and invite the views of the Comptroller and

15

Auditor General thereon.

(3)   

The Chancellor of the Exchequer shall lay before each House of Parliament a

copy of the Commission’s report and any report containing the views of the

Comptroller and Auditor General.

(4)   

A Minister of the Crown shall, as soon as is practicable after the laying of

20

reports under subsection (3), make a motion in each House of Parliament

expressing a view on the contents of the Commission’s report.

4       

Expenses

There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament any expenditure incurred by

the Treasury by virtue of this Act.

25

5       

Short title

This Act may be cited as the European Union (Audit of Benefits and Costs of

UK Membership) Act 2008.

 
 

 
contents
 
House of Commons home page Houses of Parliament home page House of Lords home page search page enquiries

© Parliamentary copyright 2008
Revised 17 June 2008