European Strategy and Other Minor Rule Changes

The motion

That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 1st Report 2011 (Session 4), Minor Standing Orders Rule Changes (SP Paper 25) and 1st Report 2012 (Session 4), European Strategy (SP Paper 59), and agrees that changes to Standing Orders set out in Annexe A of the 1st Report 2011, other than those agreed to by motion S4M-01347, and in the annexe to this motion be made with effect from 20 August 2012.

Annexe

Proposed Changes to Standing Orders

CHAPTER 5: THE PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU AND MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS

Rule 5.4 Business programme

In Rule 5.4.2(b), for “Communities” substitute “Union”.

CHAPTER 6: COMMITTEES

Rule 6.2 Functions of all committees

In Rule 6.2.2(c), for “Communities” substitute “Union”.

Rule 6.8 European and External Relations Committee

In Rule 6.8.1(a), for “Communities” substitute “Union”.

In Rule 6.8.1(b), after “Communities” insert “and European Union”.

In Rule 6.8.1(d), for “European Communities (and their institutions)” substitute “European Union (and its institutions)”.

Insert a new Chapter 10A—

“CHAPTER 10A

PROPOSALS FOR EUROPEAN UNION LEGISLATION

Rule 10A.1 Proposal for European Union legislation

1. In this Chapter-

(a) “end date” means the last date of the 8 week period, by which the UK Parliament can issue a reasoned opinion on an EU legislative proposal in terms of Article 6 of the Subsidiarity Protocol;

(b) “EU legislative proposal” is a proposal for the adoption of a legislative act to which the Subsidiarity Protocol applies;

(c) “principle of subsidiarity” refers to the principle that the European Union shall act only if and insofar as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, either at central level or at regional and local level, but can rather, by reason of the scale or effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at European Union level; and

(d) “Subsidiarity Protocol” means the Protocol (No. 2) on the Application of the Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Rule 10A.2 Referral to lead committee

1. Where the UK Government, the UK Parliament or the Scottish Executive brings to the attention of the Parliament any EU legislative proposal (or part of such proposal) as raising a concern in relation to compliance with the principle of subsidiarity, the proposal shall be considered by the committee within whose remit the subject matter of the proposal falls (“the lead committee”).

2. Where the subject matter of an EU legislative proposal falls within the remit of more than one committee, the Parliamentary Bureau shall designate one of those committees as the lead committee.

Rule 10A.3 Consideration of proposal for European Union legislation

1. Where an EU legislative proposal has been referred to a lead committee in terms of Rule 10A.2, that committee shall consider the EU legislative proposal and report to the Parliament if it considers that the proposal does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity.

2. Where the lead committee so considers that an EU legislative proposal does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity, the Convener of that committee shall by motion propose that the Parliament agrees that the EU legislative proposal does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity. The Parliamentary Bureau shall allocate such time for debate on the motion as it considers appropriate.

3. Where an EU legislative proposal is referred to a lead committee in terms of Rule 10A.2, and the lead committee decides having regard to the end date that there is an insufficient period remaining for report by the committee and a debate on a motion in terms of paragraph 2, the Presiding Officer shall notify the UK Parliament of any concerns of the lead committee that the proposal do

No recorded vote on this motion. Most motions are never debated, and many that are debated are agreed without a division. Vote records are published from 2011.

Lab 1

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

1. 31 May 2012
   European Strategy and Minor Rule Changes

   Tricia Marwick Meeting of the Parliament

   The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-03052, in the name of Dave Thompson, on the European strategy and other minor rule changes. I call Dave Thompson to speak to and move the motion on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and…
2. 31 May 2012
   Decision Time

   Tricia Marwick Meeting of the Parliament

   There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S4M-03052, in the name of Dave Thompson, on the European strategy and minor rule changes, be agreed to.Motion agreed to,That the Parliam…