Written question asked by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Friday, 6 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 13 June 2008. It was answered by David Miliband (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 2008 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

European External Action Service

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Third Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 2007-08, on Foreign Policy Aspects of the Lisbon Treaty HC120, paragraph 22, what reports on the development of the European External Action Service have been made to Parliament since 20 January 2008; and what steps he plans to take to inform Parliament of progress in discussions on the service.

Answer: [holding answer 13 June 2008]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, Jim Murphy, wrote to the European Scrutiny Committee on 22 April about Treaty Implementation and I gave oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 11 June. In light of the Irish referendum result, the planned discussions on the External Action Service at the EU General Affairs Council and the European Council were cancelled. That was the right response to the outcome of the referendum in Ireland. No further work will be carried out, and the work has stopped in the UK until such a time as there is a new suggestion from the French Presidency or a way forward suggested by the Irish Government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 478 c1335W; 210252
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Foreign policy aspects of the Lisbon Treaty. Foreign Affairs Select Committee third report in 2 volumes with proceedings, evidence (HC 16 ii-iv 2006-07 not printed separately) and appendices.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons
Subjects: European External Action Service
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk