EU COMPETENCE IN CRIMINAL LAW

That this House notes the proposals of the European Commission of 8th February 2007 whereby criminal offences and sanctions in relation to certain environmental matters will be determined at a European Union level by qualified majority voting; further notes the proposal by the German Presidency of the European Union for a framework decision whereby genocide denial anywhere within the European Union will be punishable as a criminal offence; and asserts, notwithstanding the merits or otherwise of the specific proposals referred to above, that the definition of, and sanctions applicable to, criminal offences committed in the UK should remain solely within the jurisdiction of this House and the UK courts.