Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 June 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 July 2010. It was answered by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 12 July 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

European External Action Service

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to bring forward proposals for the accountability of the European External Action Service to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: As a service, the European External Actions Service (EEAS) will be accountable to both the European Parliament and the Member States in the Council in their roles as budgetary authority. In so far as it acts in the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) areas, the EEAS will be accountable, through the High Representative, to the Council. In so far as it acts in areas of EU policy, it will be accountable to the Commission (as a collegiate body), the European Parliament and the Council, in accordance with their respective competences and roles.Parliament is able to scrutinise Decisions taken in Council, some of which will mandate the High Representative, and hold the Government to account through, for example, ministerial evidence sessions and debates on the floor of the House.

Secondary information