asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many times they have over-ridden the scrutiny reserve of (a) the House of Commons European Scrutiny Select Committee; and (b) the House of Lords European Union Select Committee; and whether they will provide a list of the proposals thus enacted in each case.[HL1409]
The table below provides information on the number of over-rides in each House since the Government began sending twice-yearly lists to the chairmen of the House of Lords European Union Committee and the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee. The House of Lords European Union Committee has commented on the lists in each of its three annual reports since 2004. Figures for the second half of 2006 are currently being compiled and will be sent to the committees shortly.
Period House of Lords House of Commons Jan-June 2003 30 26 July-Dec 2003 34 33 Jan-June 2004 13 16 June-Dec 2004 20 22 Jan-June 2005* 28 52 July-Dec 2005 17 19 Jan-June 2006 15 12 * Figures for the first half of 2005 include a period when Parliament was dissolved and a period immediately after the opening of Parliament before the European Union Committee in the House of Lords and the European Scrutiny Committee in the House of Commons could be appointed.
I am unable to provide a list of the proposals enacted in each case as this would incur disproportionate cost because officials would need to consult the correspondence between the lead Minister and the chairman of the committee to supply the noble Lord with this information.