Lords to question Europe Minister ahead of European Council

Areas the Committee will cover with Mr Lidington include: 

• Does he expect an agreement to be reached on the choice of the next President of the European Commission at the European Council meeting?
• Given the European Parliament has not met since the election and a new Commission has not yet been formed, should the European Council be discussing legislative priorities?
• What is the UK government's view on the priorities of the incoming Italian presidency? How is the government engaging with the Italian government on this issue?
• What is his view of the recent European Commission Country-Specific Recommendations for the UK economy which focused on controlling house price inflation? 
• Is there likely to be an agreement on climate change and energy security at the European Council meeting in October when it is due to be discussed?
• Will the UK be pushing for further action against Russia in light of its decision to cut off gas supplies to the Ukraine and following evidence of Russian military action around Sevastopol?
• Is there likely to be agreement on the UK re-joining the 35 measures, including the European Arrest Warrant, that is wants to opt back into following the government's decision to opt-out of Protocol 36?

The evidence session will start at 3.30pm on Monday 23 June in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.

The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and 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.