The European Scrutiny Committee and its role
The European Scrutiny Committee scrutinises draft EU legislation on behalf of the House of Commons andassesses which proposals are of particular political or legal importance. It draws these proposals to theattention of the House through weekly Committee Reports and by recommending some draft legislation fordebate. Debates can take place in European Committees or, more rarely, on the floor of the House.The European Scrutiny Committee is appointed under Standing Order No. 143. It consists of 16 members,drawn from the three largest political parties and is chaired by Mr William Cash MP.The Committee assesses the legal and/or political importance of draft EU legislation deposited inParliament by the Government. This amounts to around 1,100 documents a session. The Committeereceives an Explanatory Memorandum on each document from the relevant Minister. It then looks at thesignificance of the proposal and decide whether to clear the document from scrutiny or withhold clearanceand ask questions of the Government. All documents deemed politically or legally important are reportedon at length in the Committee's weekly Reports.The Committee also has the power to recommend documents for debate. Debates recommended by theCommittee take place either in a European Committee or (more rarely) on the Floor of the House. Underthe scrutiny reserve resolution passed by the House, Ministers should not vote in the Council of Ministerson proposals which the Committee has not cleared or which are awaiting debate.The Committee can also question Ministers in person and sometimes conducts general inquiries into legal,procedural or institutional developments in the EU.At the Committee’ visit to Copenhagen, the following members will participate:William Cash
(Chairman) - Conservativehttp://www.parliament.uk/biographies/william-cash/25682James Clappison
– Conservativehttp://www.parliament.uk/biographies/james-clappison/25164Henry Smith
– Conservativehttp://www.parliament.uk/biographies/henry-smith/35320Julie Elliott
– Labourhttp://www.parliament.uk/biographies/julie-elliott/78855Kelvin Hopkins
– Labourhttp://www.parliament.uk/biographies/kelvin-hopkins/25583