During the debate in the House on 25 October 2007 on the motion to renew the present method of appointment of European Standing Committees, the Government undertook to come back to the House with proposals for reform of European scrutiny within three months of the start of the current session. The Government have now tabled a motion proposing changes to the Standing Orders, with a number of related proposals. These reflect consultations across the House in recent months and also take into account the second report of the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of 2004-05 Scrutiny of European Business (HC paper 465, session 2004-05). Discussions have been held in particular with: the shadow Leader of the House; the hon. Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes); the Chairmen of the European Scrutiny, Liaison and Procedure Committees; the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee; the Chairman of Ways and Means; and the Chairman of the European Union Committee in the House of Lords as well as a number of hon. and right hon. Back-Bench Members of the House, and Members of the European Parliament.

The present scrutiny system is based on the work of the European Scrutiny Committee in referring selected documents for debate by European Standing Committees, in the context of the House’s scrutiny reserve resolution. This delivers real benefits to the House. In particular it ensures that all documents are considered and the major ones are debated. However, improvements are needed to make those debates more constructive and to ensure that Members are able to focus their work in areas where they have an interest and expertise to offer.

The Government’s proposals accordingly build on the present system but seek to make the operation of the European Standing Committees —to be renamed European Committees—more effective. The Government proposes improvements:

to the way the members of European Standing Committees are selected, with the membership in future drawing in part, where possible, on the European Scrutiny Committee and on relevant departmental select committees

to the proceedings in European Standing Committees, with opportunities for a brief opening statement from a member of the European Scrutiny Committee and for a more effective style of questioning of Ministers following their initial statements.

In addition, the Government proposes:

the alerting of the Scrutiny Committee by the Government at an early stage to consultation exercises on important EU proposals; and

improved opportunities for Members to receive directly EU documents in areas in which they have expressed a particular interest.

The Government are also grateful to Mr Speaker for authorising the inclusion in the ‘Future Business’ section of the daily Order Paper of a list of forthcoming documents and motions for debate in European Committees following referral from the European Scrutiny Committee.

Taken together, the Government considers that the measures should be a positive step forward in helping Members to engage more effectively in scrutinising those proposals originating in the European Union which are significant and which it is important for this House to examine carefully.