European Union (Amendment) Bill

My Lords, I would argue a little differently, yet in the same sense as the noble Lord, Lord Maclennan, because to my mind this amendment is completely otiose. It states that the Secretary of State should, "““lay annually … a statement before Parliament, explaining the powers, duties and role of the President of the European Council””," but all you have to do is open the treaty of Lisbon and you will find those powers, duties and role described there. Now, they may not be thought to be described sufficiently or in enough detail, but they are described in the treaty. It is perfectly clear, from the way in which European Union treaties are constructed, that if you wish to change those provisions, you need a new treaty and have to have the whole process of ratification again. This amendment is completely otiose unless a rather elaborate interpretation is put on to ““amends the position””, words that seem very slippery to me and capable of almost any interpretation by whoever wants to think of one. I do not know what they mean. This is all completely unnecessary, because if the European Union wishes to change, "““the powers, duties and role of the President of the European Council””," it will have to amend the treaty of Lisbon.