Governments responses review of scrutiny; Europols role in fighting crime; and EU Russia relations 20th report session 2002-03

House of Lords papers 2002-03 99

Format:

Corporate Author:

Great Britain Parliament House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union

Author:

Grenfell Julian Grenfell Baron chairman

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Europol (the European Police Office) is the agency responsible for supporting the 15 EU member states in combating serious organised crime. The Committee's report examines a number of proposed amendments to the Europol Convention which would extend the agency's remit and streamline its operating methods; increase the European Parliament's oversight of its activities; and facilitate the transfer of personal data with third countries, particularly the United States. The Committee concludes that Europol has a crucial role to perform, but it is at present essentially a role supporting national law enforcement authorities. This should not develop into a major operational role simply as a result of a succession of relatively small changes to its remit. Any significant extension would require a different legal basis and this would need major debate across the EU. Increased parliamentary oversight of its activities is welcome, but there is a need to involve national parliaments as well as the European Parliament. The Government should resist any attempts to change the basis of its funding. It is essential that adequate data protection safeguards are put in place.