House of Lords

Session 1998-99 Publications on the internet European Communities Committee Publications

European Communities - Third Report Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Lords to be printed 2 February 1999. CONTENTS REPORT PART 1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS What is comitology? Comitology committees Types of and choice of comitology committees The Treaty of Amsterdam The Commission's proposal Comitology is important and controversial The Committee's conclusions The European Parliament's role Simplification of procedures Greater transparency The structure of the Report PART 2 BACKGROUND History of Comitology Comitology - the Treaty base The 1987 Decision (i) Advisory (Procedure I) (ii) Management (Procedure II) (iii) Regulatory (Procedure III) (iv) Safeguard The wide variety of delegated powers The position of the European Parliament PART 3 EXAMINATION OF PROPOSAL AND VIEWS OF WITNESSES Experience under the 1987 Decision Need for change Scope of the new Decision - the Third Pillar Reservation of implementing powers by the Council Choice of committee type The Advisory Committee - a residual category? Simplification of procedures - removal of the variants (i) Management procedure (ii) Regulatory procedure (iii) Safeguard procedure Involvement of the European Parliament (i) Experience to date (ii) The European Parliament seeks equality (iii) Article 7 Alignment/adaptation of committees Transparency Role of National Parliaments PART 4 OPINION What interests should the Decision safeguard? What should be the objectives of the new Comitology Decision? A greater role for the European Parliament The regulatory committee procedure Article 7 Simplification of procedures Criteria determining the choice of type of committee (Article 2) Removal of the Variants Greater transparency Role of national parliaments RECOMMENDATION Appendix 1 - Membership of the Sub-Committee Appendix 2 - List of Witnesses Appendix 3 - Council Decision of 13 July 1987 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (87/373/EEC) Appendix 4 - Proposal for a Council Decision laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (presented by the Commission) Appendix 5 - List of Comitology Committees and their activities in 1997 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Office for National Statistics Office of Science and Technology Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food HM Customs and Excise Home Office Department of Trade and Industry Department for Education and Employment HM Treasury Health and Safety Executive Cabinet Office Department for International Development Department of Health Department of Forestry for Great Britain Exports Credits Guarantee Department Department for Culture, Media and Sport

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