Lords quiz QC on opt-out from EU policing and crime measures

The inquiry is being conducted jointly by two of the Lords EU Sub-Committees – Home Affairs, Health and Education, chaired by Lord Hannay of Chiswick, and Justice, Institutions and Consumer Protection, chaired by Lord Bowness.

On Wednesday, the Committee will be speaking to Martin Howe QC, a former member of the Government's Bill of Rights Commission and an EU law specialist. 

The Committee will question Mr Howe on issues including:

• whether he believes the Government should exercise the opt-out and, if so, which of the measures it should opt back in to;
• if the UK's influence across Europe on issues such as the raising the standard of trial rights would be affected should the UK opt out of Protocol 36; and
• any concerns arising from the extension of the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction over police and criminal justice measures.

The evidence sessions will take place on Wednesday 9 January at 4pm in Committee Room 1.

The evidence session will take place on Wednesday 9 January at 4pm in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords and will be webcast live at www.parliamentlive.tv.

The evidence session is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.