11 February 2004
Parliament will have more opportunity to scrutinise and debate European legislation, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told MPs today.
In a statement to Parliament, Mr Straw said a White Paper will be published in April this year outlining upcoming European issues. There would be a new White Paper every January after that. This will be followed by reports every Julyto take stock of progress and look ahead to the next presidency.
Mr Straw also set out plans for a new parliamentary committee to debate European issues. Ministers, European Commissioners and Members of both the Lords and Commons would be able to attend.
The Foreign Secretary said 2004 is set to be an important year for the European Union. Ten new members are due to join in May and elections are due in June this year, he added.
"We also have the initial proposals on the financing of the European Union after 2006; the continuing efforts to reform the European economy so that it better delivers jobs and prosperity; and the outstanding matter of the Intergovernmental Conference."
The Foreign Secretary said it is imperative that national democratic bodies are fully engaged on issues like trade, the environment and organised crime.
"I hope that the proposals I have set out today will go some way to ensuring that we in this House, and in Parliament as a whole, can be more effective in doing that."
The United Kingdom is to assume presidency of the EU in 2005.
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