The EU Archives

Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: working time directives

Tuesday, 15 March, 2011

The EC Working Time Directive (93/104/EC of 23 November 1993), was implemented in the UK by the Working Time Regulations 1998, SI No.1833 with effect from 1 October 1998. The Working Time Directive was subject to proposals for further amendment in Europe. The proposals were considered under the codecision procedure. The European Parliament and Council could not reach agreement on the draft directive, and no compromise could be reached in conciliation. The proposal now lapses and the current directive remains in force. This Note brings together documents relevant to legislation and draft directives on the application of Working Time rules.
Research Briefing

Parliamentary scrutiny of treaties: up to 2010

Tuesday, 08 February, 2011

Before 2010 the UK Parliament had no formal role in the ratification of treaties, which is a matter for the Government under the Royal Prerogative. There were however several ways in which treaties were scrutinised by Parliament before the Government ratified them, for example under the 'Ponsonby Rule'. There have been calls for Parliamentary scrutiny of treaties to be enhanced, including through creating a dedicated treaty scrutiny committee.
Research Briefing

The Government’s Policy on Europe

Monday, 07 February, 2011

This Note looks at the Government's policy on Europe: first, at the election manifestos of the two parties, the Coalition Programme for Government and the Government's response since May 2010 to matters concerning the EU.
Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: Food Supplements Directive

Tuesday, 01 February, 2011

The EC Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC of 10 June 2002) was implemented in England by Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 SI 2003/1387, with effect from 1 August 2005. Equivalent Regulations implemented the Directive in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Draft legislation to amend this Directive is being prepared by the European Commission and is expected in 2009. This Note brings together documents relevant to UK legislation on the application of the EU Food Supplements Directive.
Research Briefing

The European External Action Service

Monday, 17 January, 2011

This Note looks at the European External Action Service established by the Treaty of Lisbon in December 2009 and provides links to relevant documentation.
Research Briefing

Amending the EU Treaty: the European Stability Mechanism

Thursday, 23 December, 2010

On 17 December 2010 the European Council agreed to establish a permanent financial crisis mechanism called the "European Stability Mechanism" (ESM) by means of an amendment to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This Note looks at the likely ratification path in the UK of the proposed amendment to Article 136 TFEU, as set out in the draft European Council decision of 17 December 2010.
Research Briefing

European Union Bill (HC Bill 106 2010-11)

Thursday, 02 December, 2010

This Bill strengthens the provisions of the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 with explicit procedures for agreeing to or ratifying certain EU decisions or treaty changes, including provisions for referendums on changes that would transfer powers from the UK to the EU.
- Research Briefing
- EU institutions
Research Briefing

The EU Citizens’ Initiative

Thursday, 21 October, 2010

This Note looks at the Commission proposal for implementing the Citizens' Initiative, the Council's response to it, the British Government's views and UK parliamentary scrutiny.
- Research Briefing
- EU law and treaties
Research Briefing

How much legislation comes from Europe?

Wednesday, 13 October, 2010

This paper explores various approaches to the question of how much national law is based on or influenced by EU law.
Research Briefing

Parliamentary scrutiny of opt-in decisions to the EU Area of Freedom, Security and Justice

Tuesday, 27 July, 2010

The UK has an opt-in arrangement to measures in the "Area of Freedom, Security and Justice", which concern mainly immigration and asylum, border control, judicial cooperation in civil law, policing and criminal law. This Note looks at parliamentary scrutiny of the opt-in arrangement.
Research Briefing

UK Public Opinion on the European Union

Thursday, 08 April, 2010

This Note provides links to a selection of opinion polls showing UK views on different aspects of our membership of the European Union.
Research Briefing

EU Legislation

Wednesday, 24 March, 2010

This Note considers the different types of EU legislative instruments and their implementation requirements. It also gives figures for EU laws adopted since 1980 and repealed since 1997, as well as an estimate of the proportion of UK secondary legislation made under the ECA to implement EU obligations.
Research Briefing

European Parliament Members’ expenses and allowances

Thursday, 18 March, 2010

This Note looks at the background to recent reform of the European Parliament expenses and allowances system. It provides information on the current expenses regime, with links to political party pledges and declarations of interest.
- Research Briefing
- EU institutions
Research Briefing

Taking a complaint to the Court of Justice of the European Union

Thursday, 11 March, 2010

This Note sets out how individuals who believe they are victims of a government's failure to respect an EU obligation, or that they have been negatively affected by an EU act or a failure to act, can seek judicial and non-judicial remedies.
Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: Services Directive

Tuesday, 02 March, 2010

This Note brings together documents relevant to the "Services Directive", its scrutiny in the UK and EU, and its implementation in the UK.

Total results (page 43 of 49)