Address removed
16.2.2009.
Dear Lord Triesman,
On 29 Jan 2007 : (Column WA5) Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked “Whether the European Union is considering any plans to form an air force or a navy.[HL1406] to which you replied Lord Triesman, “The EU is not considering any plans to form a European air force or navy. Forces for EU crisis management operations are provided by member states on a voluntary basis”.
As there has not been a new Treaty agreement for a European Navy, and neither has their been a referendum for the people to have a say on this gravest of all constitutional changes in committing our Navy to set sail under a foreign flag, and it was announced as the EU Navy, how can authorisation for this transformation be given legally/lawfully? Or is the “EU Navy” sailing under the flag of the Royal Navy? I am at a loss as to which “Legal Base” is being used for sending our Navy, or troops into this area as part of an EU Navy.
Surely Article 308 of the European Community is not being used? I have refreshed my memory and I still believe it reads as follows: “If action by the Community should prove necessary to attain, in the course of the operation of the common market [our emphasis], one of the objectives of the Community, and this Treaty has not provided the necessary powers, the Council shall, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, take the appropriate measures.” Taken from the Government’s own Paper on Art 308.
I would find it hard to believe the European Union would anticipate that full ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon is a certainty, surely not?
We are all aware that in fact the EU Navy has already set sail and is now on duty near Somalia waters. What would be the (legal) position if any member of the British Navy serving in the European Union Navy was hurt, or if the ship was holed?
On 16th November 2006, in the EU Parliament, I read that “MEP’s argue for a more active European Security and Defence Policy, extending the Union’s competences through a common defence market, a civil protection force, as well as a standing naval force in the Mediterranean”. Hardly the “Common Market” the people agreed to remain in, in 1975. “Lisbon” should be withdrawn and put before the people.
Yours faithfully,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ap
Copy to Lord Pearson of Rannoch
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EU: Armed Forces
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Union is considering any plans to form an air force or a navy.[HL1406]
29 Jan 2007 : Column WA5
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): The EU is not considering any plans to form a European air force or navy. Forces for EU crisis management operations are provided by member states on a voluntary basis.
EU: Initiatives
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the undertaking given on 18 December 2006 by Lord Rooker (HL Deb, col. 1878), when they will place in the Library of the House a list of the current European Union initiatives which depend for their legal base on Article 308 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community.[HL1408]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): A list of current European Union proposals which depend on Article 308 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community as a legal base has now been placed in the Library of the House.
EU: Police Powers
Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the proposal from the German presidency of the European Union that police forces in the European Union should have the power to pursue criminals across borders and to have access to each others confidential records, including DNA information; whether Parliament will be consulted before such a proposal is agreed; and, if so, by what method.[HL1443]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): I believe that the noble Lord is referring to the German presidency's plans to transpose the Pr�1/4m convention into EU law. The presidency initiated a discussion on this topic at the Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council in Dresden on 15-16 January but has not yet tabled formal proposals.
The Pr�1/4m Convention was signed on 27 May 2005 by France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Belgium. It is designed to intensify cross-border police co-operation, especially in the fight against terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal migration.
The Pr�1/4m Convention offers the potential to improve the exchange of information on DNA, fingerprints and vehicle registrations, which would have a real impact on our ability to bring serious criminals to justice. The Government support better practical co-operation between the police forces of member states and will carefully consider any formal proposals that the German presidency puts forward to transpose the convention into EU law.
29 Jan 2007 : Column WA6
The exact process as to how Pr�1/4m or some of its provisions could be brought into the EU framework has yet to be agreed. Any EU instrument covering the transposition of the Pr�1/4m Convention into EU law would be subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Ministers have given evidence on the Pr�1/4m Convention to the Select Committee on the European Union, with my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon, appearing before the committee on18 December 2006.
European Defence Almanac
http://www.european-defence.co.uk/defencealmanac.pdf
The Common European Security and Defence Policy:
An Economic Perspective
Professor Keith Hartley. Director, Centre for Defence Economics. University of York
http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/econ/documents/research/hljuly.pdf
No EU navy EH?
On 16 of November 2006, in the EU
Parliament I read, "The EU is on the way to developing
into a Defence and Security Union," says a report
adopted today by a large majority (414 in favour
to 117 against with 12 abstentions). MEPs argue
for a more active European Security and Defence
Policy, extending the Union's competencies
through a common defence market, a civil protection
force, as well as a standing naval force in the
Mediterranean".
**************************************
It does not escape my notice, now that we have an EU Army and EU Navy, we have also given the Royal Prerogative of war making powers long with Treaty Making Powers to the EU in Lisbon, Article 47 The Union shall have Legal Personality. There is no point in have either an EU Navy or EU Army if it hasn’t got the one voice needed to send their troops of ships into battle. Anne
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