Asked by: Lord Willoughby de Broke (Non-affiliated - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the statement on 10 December by the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union that "The European Commission is more than ever a political body" is compatible with the Commission's role as set out in the Maastricht Treaty.
Answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
The Government is clear that the European Commission’s role is as set out in the relevant Treaties. Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) specifies that the European Commission’s role includes, inter alia, ensuring the application of the Treaties and overseeing the application of Union law under the control of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Article 17 of the TEU also provides that, in carrying out its responsibilities, the Commission shall be completely independent.
Asked by: Lord Willoughby de Broke (Non-affiliated - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the legal basis permitting HM Revenue and Customs to remove money from personal bank accounts without first obtaining a Court Order, as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech in March.
Answered by Lord Deighton
The Government consulted on the process and safeguards for the Direct Recovery of Debts between 6 May and 29 July 2014. This policy will modernise and strengthen HM Revenue’s and Customs’ ability to recover tax and tax credit debts from those who are refusing to pay what they owe but have sufficient funds in their accounts.
The Government will publish draft legislation in due course.
In line with the Government’s Tax Policy Framework, this draft legislation will be consulted on before it is included in the Finance Bill, where it will be subject to the usual Parliamentary scrutiny