Cool reaction to subsidiarity group support

Date: 10/10/02

By Martin Banks

THE findings of the Convention working group on subsidiarity have received a mixed verdict, with one member dismissing it as a 'damp squib'.

One of its main proposals is for an 'early warning system' in which national parliaments would ensure that the

European Commission was not overstepping its remit.

This idea won the support of most Convention members, with one, UK Europe Minister Peter Hain, describing it as a 'historic' achievement.

But other members, including Scottish nationalist MEP Sir Neil MacCormick, a renowned constitutional expert, were less impressed.

He said: 'It's a damp squib. It rejects all the adventurous suggestions that would have given a direct say to 'constitutional regions'.'

These are region's within member states whose parliaments have legislative powers that may be invaded by over-zealous use of EU laws.

'All it amounts to is an invitation to member state parliaments to engage themselves more fully in the critique of Union legislation at an earlier phase than most of them do at the moment.

These parliaments already have effective power in relation to the Council of Ministers if only they would use it.'

The findings of the European Convention working group on subsidiarity have received a mixed verdict.

http://european-convention.eu.int/bienvenue.asp?lang=EN http://european-convention.eu.int/bienvenue.asp?lang=EN

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