European Union (Information, etc.) Bill [HL]

Official Summary

A Bill To Make provision for information to be available in various public places relating to the activities and organisation of the European Union; to make provision for the flying of the flag of the European Union on various government and public buildings; to provide information to further the establishment of twinning arrangements between towns in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the European Union in accordance with the European Union’s town twinning support scheme; and for connected purposes.

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Overview

This bill aims to increase public access to information about the European Union (EU) in the UK. It mandates the provision of EU-related information in public buildings and online, allows the EU flag to be flown alongside the Union Jack on certain buildings, and promotes town twinning initiatives between UK and EU towns.

Description

The bill covers three main areas:

EU Information Provision: Free access to information and statistics about the EU's activities, organisation, decisions (including the principle of subsidiarity), and the Treaty of Lisbon will be made available in both physical (written and electronic) and online formats in public buildings (libraries, council buildings) and online.
EU Flag Display: The bill permits the display of the EU flag alongside the Union Flag on government and public buildings.
Town Twinning Support: Information about the EU's town twinning support scheme (including financial support, scope, and application procedures) will be made available in public buildings and online.

The bill defines "government buildings" as those mainly occupied by UK Civil Servants, and "public buildings" as public libraries and council administrative buildings. It applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and comes into effect six months after passing.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify any direct government spending figures. The costs associated with providing information and facilitating town twinning are likely to be absorbed within existing departmental budgets, resulting in minimal additional government spending.

Groups Affected

The bill will affect several groups:

Public: Increased access to EU-related information and potential encouragement of town twinning participation.
Local Councils: Responsibility for providing and displaying information in council buildings.
Government Departments: Responsibility for providing and displaying information in government buildings and potentially for facilitating town twinning initiatives.
Public Libraries: Responsibility for providing and displaying information.

Full Text

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