Press release - 27th November 2007

GLOBAL VISION WELCOMES ESC'S CALL FOR DEBATE ON THE REFORM TREATY

In its response to the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee's Follow-up Report on the EU Intergovernmental Conference, Global Vision welcomes the ESC's call for a debate in the Commons before the EU Reform treaty is signed. The Reform Treaty is due to be signed on 13 December.

The Follow-up report includes an examination of the Government's ‘Red Lines' focusing on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and on the ‘opt-in' arrangements for justice and home affairs (JHA).

• On the Charter, the ESC concludes that the UK Protocol "does not provide a guarantee that the Charter can have no effect on UK law" and "we retain serious doubts about the effectiveness of the Protocol on the Charter."
• On JHA, the ESC concludes that "despite the government strengthening control of the ‘opt-in' arrangements, there will be a steady transfer of jurisdiction to the Commission and the European Court of Justice in the areas of Civil and Criminal Justice."

Ruth Lea, Director said:

"It is heartening that the European Scrutiny Committee continues to act as the eyes and ears of the nation on the all-important EU Reform Treaty. Of course, there should be a debate on the Treaty - as indeed there should be the referendum. Opinion polls consistently show a large majority of the British people believe they are entitled to have their say on the Treaty. If Gordon Brown were a man of honour he would accede to their wishes."