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EU 81: Letter from the Minister for Europe, Foreign & Commonwealth Office to the Chairman
Preparatory work for Lisbon Treaty implementation
On 24 June 2008 Jim Murphy, my predecessor as Minister for Europe, informed Parliament that our work on the European External Action Service and other Treaty implementation issues had stopped until there was a new suggestion from the French EU Presidency, or a way forward suggested by the Irish Government. Following agreement at the December 2008 European Council on such a way forward, based on proposals from the Irish Government, we now believe it is sensible to restart our work preparing for the Lisbon Treaty coming into force, while also continuing to prepare for the possibility that it may not. This will ensure that we are fully prepared to engage in any implementation discussions with EU Partners, should these occur, and to defend the UK's interests. However, no formal decisions will be taken unless and until all Member States have ratified the Treaty and it enters into force. I attach a response to a written PQ that will be tabled today to inform Parliament of our decision.[1]
As re-affirmed by Jim Murphy in his letters to Michael Connarty and Lord Grenfell of 22 April 2008,[2] the Government will continue to do its utmost to keep both Houses informed across the full range of Treaty Implementation issues through Ministerial contact before any discussions of these issues at European Council and sectoral EU Ministerial meetings.
I am writing in similar terms to Michael Connarty, Chairman of the Commons European Scrutiny Committee, and Lord Roper, Chairman of the Lords European Union Committee, and copying this letter to the Clerks of both Committees and Martin Scales, Select Committee Liaison Officer.
28 January 2009
[1] HC Deb, 28 January 2009, cols 608-9W [2] Not published. |