European Union (Amendment) Bill and the Lisbon Treaty: Implications for the UK Constitution

This report is concerned with the changes that may be brought to the workings of the UK constitution, rather than the operation of the EU's institutions and processes. The Committee welcomes the Bill's provision that Parliament must give approval before the Government can ratify any future amendments to the founding treaties. Parliament should also take close interest in scrutinising initiatives on the functioning of the EU to ensure they comply with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. The report also considers: defining the EU's competences; people's rights and responsibilities; citizenship; the UK Parliament and parliamentary supremacy; nations and regions; the area of freedom, security and justice; courts and the judiciary.

• Primary Source

United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office: House of Lords Constitution Committeee, Session 2007-08: 6th Report. European Union (Amendment) Bill and the Treaty of Lisbon: Implications for the UK Constitution. Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by command of Her Majesty, June 2008 (Cm 7417) http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/cm-7417

United Kingdom: House of Lords: Constitution Committee: Press Notice, 28.3.08 http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/lords_press_notices/pn280308const.cfm

United Kingdom: House of Lords: Constitution Committee: 6th Report (2007-08)HL 84 (pdf) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldselect/ldconst/84/84.pdf

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