Lisbon Treaty — Government must report on the operation of European competition policy — rejected — 12 May 2008 at 18:22

The majority Not-Contents rejected an amendment^[1] to the European Union (Amendment) Bill. This would have prevented competition rules from being under the exclusive competence of the European Union (EU) unless the Secretary of State reported on the operation of EU competition policy to Parliament each year. In other words, this amendment sought to ensure that EU competition policy was still subject to parliamentary scrutiny. However, it was defeated.

In moving the amendment Lord Hunt of Wirral explains that:^[2]

• 'It is sad that, in the treaty, there is so little about the single market and helping us to achieve those open markets. There is plenty in the treaty about EU values, but nothing about what was, after all, a founding principle of the European Union.'

However, Baroness Ashton of Upholland argues that:^[3]

• 'The reason there has not been a change in terms of the single market in this amending treaty is because we believe that the arrangements and the rules that are staying in force are appropriate and good and there is no need to tinker with them. We believe that our access to the single market makes the UK such an attractive destination for investment. With that access comes certain common rules that are necessary for the functioning of the single market. Competition rules are among the most fundamental of such essential rules. As noble Lords will know, that does not mean that the whole area of competition law is an exclusive competence. The UK can, and does, set additional competition rules for other purposes that do not obstruct the operation of the EU's rules.'

The European Union (Amendment) Bill implements the Lisbon Treaty into UK law. The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to^[4]:

• Streamline EU institutions
• Establish a permanent President of the European Council (as of 16 March 2010 held by Herman Van Rompuy)
• Establish the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (as of 16 March 2010 held by Catherine Ashton)
• Give new powers to the EU over justice and home affairs
• Remove the national veto in some areas such as energy security and emergency aid

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• [1] Lord Hunt of Wirral, House of Lords, 12 May 2008
• [2] Lord Hunt of Wirral, House of Lords, 12 May 2008
• [3] Baroness Ashton of Upholland, House of Lords, 12 May 2008
• [4] BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty, 5 February 2010

Debate in Parliament | Source |