Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1991 > Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities (6th Committee) > Report No. 07 - Review of the Functions of the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities

APPENDIX 3

Contact between MEPs and national parliaments in other Member States

1. Belgium:

(a) the Chamber

a Joint Committee, consisting of 10 deputies and 10 MEPs, was established in April, 1985. It is chaired by the President or a vice-president of the House. The 10 MEPs are elected by PR by Belgium’s 24 MEPs. The Committee delivers opinions on its own initiative, on the following matters:

-institutional questions and other important political questions

-cooperation between the EP and the Belgian parliament

-status of Belgian MEPs, and information exchanges between the two assemblies.

The committee may summon members of the national government.

Belgian MEPs may also take part in the work of the standing committees of the Chamber of Representatives, in an advisory capacity. Prior authorization is required from the chairman concerned.

(b) the Senate

MEPs elected in Belgium are invited to participate in the work of the Advisory Committee on European Questions, but are not entitled to vote.

2. Denmark:

Danish MEPs are not entitled to attend the Market Committee unless they are also members of the Folketing, and elected as members of the Committee.

3. Germany:

Bundestag

The Sub-Committee for European Community affairs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, constituted in June 1987, consists of 13 Members and 13 substitutes. The Bundestag adopted a provisional special arrangement to grant 13 German MEPs (and 13 substitutes) the right of admission to the Sub-Committee. They will be entitled to suggest subjects of discussion, to convey information and to make statements, but not to vote or put forward motions.

The competences of the sub-committee are to discuss all EC proposals referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. It has the right to be informed by the Federal Government of all proposals with a European dimension.

Bundsrat

No provision for participation by German MEPs in the Chamber for the scrutiny of documents of the EC. However, the chairman may allow them to participate in discussions.

4. Greece:

Committee on EC Affairs.

Established in June 1990, the committee has 25 members, of whom 10 are Greek MEPs. Membership is determined by the President of the Chamber. The Committee’s role is to monitor EC affairs and action taken by the Greek government, and to report to Parliament and the government, in particular on:

-institutional questions

-cooperation between the EP and the Greek parliament

-EC policies and texts which the Government must submit for approval to the Chamber.

-decision by other committees on matters relating to EC Policy.

5. Spain:

Chamber of Deputies and Senate

Joint Committee on the EC

The law provides for the possibility of attendance of Spainish MEPs. Several such meetings have taken place.

6. France:

National Assembly and Senate

Each house has a Delegation for the European Communities, to which deputies or senators elected to the EP may belong. French MEPs, may be invited to participate on a consultative basis, in either delegation.

The function of the delegations is to keep their respective houses informed of the activities of the EC bodies. The government forwards to the delegations all draft acts and necessary documents, and informs them of negotiations under way. The delegations examine the drafts prior to their adoption by Council.

7. Italy:

Chamber of Deputies

Special Committee for Community Policies, established October 1990. Participation by MEPs is not specified. However, at the beginning and end of each presidency, a meeting with a delegation of Italian MEPs may take place, who are members of the EP Bureau, or of the bureau of one of the EP committees or political groups.

The Committee examines the annual programme for the implementation of EC law, and delivers opinions on all legislative texts on implementing EC regulations. It also monitors government activity on EC matters.

Senate

Committee on European Affairs, established July 1968 The Committee may invite MEPs to provide information or attend a meeting for that purpose. Only one representative of each political group in the EP, chosen by common agreement of the Italian MEPs and the chairman of the committee, may participate.

The committee is responsible for EC matters, and for giving opinions or formulating draft legislative proposals relating to the application of the Treaties or EC measures.

8. Luxembourg:

Committee on Foreign and Community Affairs, established December 1989. Luxembourg MEPs are invited to take part when EC affairs are on the agenda, but only in a consultative capacity. The Committee examines draft law on EC affairs. It is informed before and after all significant meetings of the Council of matters on the agenda, the Luxembourg government’s proposals, and national repercussions.

9. Netherlands:

Second chamber

Standing Committee on European Affairs, established October 1986. The Committee holds regular discussions with Dutch MEPs. It has been decided that it would not be legal to allow for tripartite meetings between the committee, Dutch MEPs and the minister concerned, as has been proposed.

The committee coordinates consultations on the preparation of government policy on EC affairs. Monitoring the implementation of EC policy is the responsibility of the EP, and the committee coordinates by following EP activities, and ensuring contacts are maintained with the appropriate committees.

First Chamber

Standing committee on European Cooperation Organisations, established 1970. Dutch MEPs have spoken at a number of hearings. The committee’s role is to initiate, take part and collaborate. The committee closely follows the activities of the EP.

10. Portugal:

Assembly

Committee on European Affairs

There are regular meetings with the Portuguese MEPs; this is part of their terms of reference, as is keeping a watching brief on EC policies. The committee draws up opinions on the basis of information received from the government. It draws up an annual statement on Portugal’s membership of the EC.

11. United Kingdom:

House of Commons

Select Committee on European Legislation, established May 1974. MEPs can be appointed if they are also MPs. The Committee identifies EC legislative proposals of sufficient legal or political importance to justify their being brought to the special attention of the Commons. It is proposed to extend the range of documents falling within the terms of reference.

House of Lords

Select Committee on the European Communities, established April 1974. Lords who are also MEPs are encouraged to attend. MEPs, both British and other, are frequently invited to give evidence to sub-committees. British MEPs have been given access to the Palace of Westminster, to allow them to attend debates etc.