Written question asked by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Thursday, 3 November 2011.

European Union

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by the Prime Minister on 24 October (Official Report, col. 26-7), what are the European Union powers and competencies which they intend to ““bring back from Brussels””; and what procedure they will use for accomplishing this repatriation.

Answer: The Government's stated intention is to examine the balance of the EU's existing competences. We have made no commitment to a particular outcome from that review. Bringing back powers and competences can be done in a number of ways. For example, by repealing EU legislation or provisions in EU legislation, by getting agreement to no longer use a TEU Treaty provision in a particular way, or by changing the competences conferred upon the EU under the treaties.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 12811; 731 c285WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: European Council
Monday, 24 October 2011
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: European Union Legislative competence
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk