Minister proposes new EU envoys

Sir Digby Jones wants sturdy scrutiny

Every government department should appoint an MP to find out how European directives are affecting the UK, the Europe minister has said.

Denis MacShane said UK politicians needed "ears and voices" across all major European capitals.

His comments come in a pamphlet raising fears about the checks on EU laws.

The pamphlet, by CBI director Sir Digby Jones, says measures costing millions of pounds pass through Parliament while barely causing a ripple.

'Winks and nudges'

In the Foreign Policy Centre pamphlet, Sir Digby says MPs and peers on the committees which scrutinise European legislation do the best possible job under the circumstances.

But he says half of all laws imposing "burdens" on UK businesses come from Brussels.

A system of "winks and nudges" between old allies is not enough in a 25-member EU and "sturdy parliamentary systems" are needed, he argues.

"Measures that will affect millions of people and cost millions of pounds pass through UK formalities, en route to being implemented into UK law, while barely causing a ripple," says Sir Digby.

He says all politicians must take more interest in laws from Brussels at a much earlier stage, with scrutiny hearings in Parliament always held in public.

Taking to the road

In a preface to the pamphlet, Mr MacShane says a "step change" is needed in the way British politicians tackle EU policy-making.

"Westminster should not be afraid to take to the road,' he argues.

"Each government department could have an EU-designated minister who works the Brussels-Strasbourg circuits...

"I would go further and suggest that each department should have a European parliamentary private secretary working exclusively on European issues, linking up with business, unions and other interest groups and informing ministers directly on how the EU is affecting government policy and legislation."

The Conservatives say they would return powers from Brussels to the UK Parliament while the UK Independence Party wants to leave the EU altogether.

The Lib Dems say they want decisions taken at the appropriate level - whether it be local, national or international.