Europe Minister answers questions on EU referendum and refugee crisis
14 December 2015
The European Union Select Committee takes evidence from the Rt Hon David Lidington MP, Minister for Europe, on the UK's proposals for EU reform and the refugee crisis, which are both on the agenda for the forthcoming European Council meeting.
- Parliament TV: Watch the evidence session
- European Union Committee
- European Council on 17 and 18 December
Witness
Monday 14 December in Committee Room 4A, Palace of Westminster
At 2.35pm:
- Rt Hon David Lidington MP, Minister for Europe
EU reform
The Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into 'Visions of EU reform', assessing the attitudes of key players in the EU institutions, other Member States, the devolved institutions and other UK stakeholders towards the Government's proposals for reform.
In the evidence session the Committee asks the Minister for his update on negotiations, and for his response to the recent letter from European Council President Donald Tusk, which stated that there remained "substantial political differences" between Member States on social benefits and free movement.
The refugee crisis
The main item on the agenda for the EU summit on 17 and 18 December is the refugee crisis, and the Minister is likely to be asked about the latest situation in Greece and Italy, the integrity of the Schengen area and the Commission's proposal for an emergency relocation mechanism.
Members of the Committee may also ask about other items on the European Council agenda, including Economic and Monetary Union, the Single Market and relations with Russia and the situation in Ukraine.
Further information
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