Terror laws require consultation
10 Jan 08
Adoption of EU counter-terrorism strategies needs Scottish Government input, say MPs
Home Office ministers need to consult the Scottish Government before adopting the European Commission's agreement on anti-terrorism laws, according to today's Scotsman.
The House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee is to report that due to Scotland's separate legal and justice system, devolved powers are involved, despite the Home Office's argument that counter-terrorism is a reserved matter.
The report says it can be inferred that UK ministers accept that the proposals concern the administration of the ordinary criminal law.
The committee is also concerned that anti-terror laws should be a matter for national governments and not the European Commission.