From: THE LORD GRENFELL
Chairman of the Select Committee on the European Union
COMMITTEE OFFICE
HOUSE OF LORDS
LONDON SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6083
Fax: 020 7219 6715
18 June 2008
Report from the European Parliament on a proposal for a decision of the European
Parliament amending its Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom on the regulations and
general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties
This proposal was considered by Sub-Committee E (Law and Institutions) at its
meeting of 18 June 2008
We welcome the changes to the Ombudsman’s Statute, which we expect will improve
access to documents by the Ombudsman and EU citizens. We note that your concerns
regarding the proposal have been addressed in the negotiations, although it is regrettable that
you were unable to provide us a copy of the amendments in time for us to consider them.
As regards your assessment of fundamental rights in your EM, it is disappointing that
you simply indicate that the proposal “does not give rise to fundamental rights issues”. Aside
from the broader question of the Ombudsman’s fundamental rights role, several rights –
including the right to good administration, the right to complain to the Ombudsman and the
right to have access to documents – are engaged by the present proposal. We expect to see an
accurate and comprehensive analysis in respect of every legislative proposal and will not
always be prepared to consider an EM where such an analysis is absent.
We have decided to clear the draft decision from scrutiny and would be grateful if you
would provide us with a copy of the agreed decision in due course.
I am copying this letter to Michael Connarty MP, Chairman of the Commons
European Scrutiny Committee; and to Alistair Doherty, Clerk to the Commons Committee;
Michael Carpenter, Legal Adviser to the Commons Committee; Les Saunders (Cabinet
Office); and Tom Hines, Departmental Scrutiny Co-ordinator.
GRENFELL
Jim Murphy MP
Minister for Europe
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
Whitehall
London SW1A 2AH