Related Links

European and External Relations Committee

STAKEHOLDERS INVITED TO CONTRIBUTE TO EUROPEAN COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME

CEU007/2006 | 8 November 2006

Stakeholders across Scotland are being offered the chance to influence a parliamentary committee’s on-going work programme following the launch of a consultation today.

The European and External Relations Committee is seeking views on which areas of the European Commission’s legislative and work programme for 2007 it is most crucial for the committee to focus on. The views generated will also be included in a legacy paper which will help inform the work of the successor committee after the 2007 election.

Approximately 80 per cent of devolved issues are affected by European Union policies and legislation. Many of these are introduced by the European Commission in an annual legislative and work programme for the forthcoming year.

As part of its scrutiny of these issues, the European and External Relations Committee is inviting organisations and individuals to comment on which areas of the proposed work programme should be given greater scrutiny. Stakeholders should consider which initiatives will have the greatest impact on Scotland.

Linda Fabiani MSP, Committee Convener, said:

“Scrutinising the business of the European Commission is a key function of the committee and it is vital that we select the right policy proposals to scrutinise.

“We are inviting comments from those people whose lives and work are most directly affected by proposed European policy.”

Background

Reponses to the consultation should be e-mailed to europe@scottish.parliament.uk by Friday 26 January 2007.

The European Commission’s legislative and work programme for 2007 can be accessed on line at: http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/programmes/index_en.htm

For further information the Media Contact is:

Elaine Mitchell: 0131 348 6245
E-mail: elaine.mitchell@scottish.parliament.uk

For further information on the Committee, please contact the committee clerk on: 0131 348 5226

For general enquiries, please contact 0845 278 1999 (local call rate) RNID Typetalk calls welcome. 0131 348 5000

email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk