Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Hannay of Chiswick (Crossbench). It was answered on Tuesday, 9 October 2007.

EU: Competition Policy

Question: My Lords, does not the noble Baroness agree that this whole matter shows how important strong institutions of the European Union are and that, in fact, the competition policy depends crucially on the attitude of the Commission? Therefore, the Commission stating that its powers have in no way been weakened is absolutely critical. Would she also be so good as to put in the Library of the House the study by the Dutch council of state that came to an exactly opposite conclusion to the scrutiny committee of another place—the Dutch council of state being a non-political body?

Answer: My Lords, the Dutch council of state has on many occasions been an important body in determining policy that comes forward from the Netherlands—but it is also, as the noble Lord said, an independent body. I agree that the Commission lawyers would look extremely carefully at the implications and impact of what was being proposed as they above any others would be mindful of the potential within the European Court of Justice and they are very clear that the protocol is legally binding.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 695 c121
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2007-0025
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Subjects: Competition law EU reform Treaties
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk