The Story So Far: The Role of the Scottish Parliament's European Committee in the UK-EU Policy Cycle

Abstract

The setting up of the Scottish Parliament's European Committee has enabled the closer scrutiny of European legislation from a distinct 'Scottish' perspective. At the outset in 1999 it was believed that such scrutiny would allow the Scottish Parliament to influence UK-EU policy, whilst improving the accountability of the Scottish Executive in relation to EU affairs. European Affairs Committees are designed primarily to improve parliamentary scrutiny and control of Executives in their EU activities. As a number of comparative studies have shown, the role of these Committees has undergone significant institutional adaptation and change (See Norton 1995; Judge 1995; Rometsch and Wessels 1996; Bergman 1997). In general, the greater specialisation provided by European Affairs Committees promotes an internal division of labour and an accumulation of expert knowledge that aids parliaments when dealing with complex European policy issues (Norton 1998; Raunio and Hix 2000). Similar reasons underpinned the Consultative Steering Group's decision to establish a separate Scottish European Committee. (The CSG was the civic, cross-party body handed the task of formulating proposals for the new parliament's standing orders and rules of procedure.) It was believed such a Committee would (a) allow more effective discussion of issues which cross-cut committee responsibilities, or which fall