asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Following the European Council in June, what, if any, competence is to be transferred under the proposed treaty from the member states to the European Union. [HL4674]

The Government expect the proposed reform treaty to contain seven new areas of EU policy activity. These are:

European research area (removal of barriers to free flow of research);

space policy (measures to promote joint initiatives and research and development);

sport (incentive measures to promote sport);

administrative co-operation (capacity-building measures);

membership of structured co-operation in defence (procedural issues relating to its establishment);

travel and residence documents; and

common safety concerns in health.