Lords to scrutinise impact of EU treaty
A House of Lords committee is to carry out an inquiry into the potential impact of the EU reform treaty, ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary debate on its ratification.
The Lords’ European Union committee will oversee seven sub-committees taking evidence and questioning witnesses in detail on the issues covered by the treaty, which replaces the failed EU constitution, and is due to be signed by the prime minister in December.
The treaty is expected to be the subject of fierce debate parliament for as long as three months in the New Year before a vote on ratification.
Mr Brown is resisting Conservative calls for a referendum on the treaty, insisting that MPs should decide whether the UK signs up.
Lord Bowness, a member of the Lords sub-committee which will look at the treaty’s provisions on freedom, justice and security, said: “The inquiry by our sub-committee is just part of a wider detailed inquiry. We aim to provide a detailed, comprehensive analysis of the important changes brought in by the treaty and how they would affect Britain.
“Our final report, when published, will give parliamentarians and others an in-depth assessment of what the treaty would mean for us.”
