Terms of reference and call for evidence
The Transport Committee is to conduct an inquiry on land transport security. It is specifically seeking views on the European Commission’s working document on transport security, which was published on 31 May 2012. The Commission’s working document can be viewed online here:
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/security/doc/2012-05-31-swd-transport-security.pdf
The working document is principally concerned with extending the Commission’s involvement in transport security matters from the aviation and maritime sectors to land transport. The Commission does not bring forward any legislative proposals, but it does suggest areas for consideration, some of which could lead to recommendations for legislation at a later stage.
The questions that the Committee will seek to address are set out below:
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of current land transport security arrangements in the UK?
- Is there a need for further EU involvement in land transport security issues, as set out in the working document?
- What would be the positive and negative impacts of potential proposals arising from the working document?
- Beyond the areas considered in the working document, are there other ways in which land transport security, both in the UK and across Europe, should be improved?
Written evidence would be welcome on these issues from any individual or organisation potentially affected by, or with a view on, the Commission’s proposals. We would be grateful to receive written submissions by Monday 7 January 2013.
The Committee’s inquiry has arisen from a request by the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee for a formal Opinion on this matter. The European Scrutiny Committee’s report can be viewed online here:
https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmeuleg/86-viii/86viii.pdf
Notes on the submission of written evidence
It assists the Committee if those submitting written evidence adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Written submissions should be as short as is consistent with conveying the relevant information. As a rough guide, it is usually helpful if they can be confined to six pages or less. Paragraphs should be numbered for ease of reference. A summary of the main points at the start of the submission is sometimes helpful.
2. Evidence should be submitted by e-mail to
in Word or Rich Text format, with as little use of colour and images as possible. If you wish to submit written evidence to the Committee in another format you must contact a member of staff to discuss this. The body of the e-mail should include a contact name, telephone number and postal address. It should be absolutely clear who the submission is from, particularly whether it is on behalf of an organisation or in the name of an individual.
3. Once accepted by the Committee, written evidence becomes the Committee’s property and it may decide to publish it or make other public use of it. If the Committee decides to accept your contribution as evidence we will email you formally accepting it as such. You may publicise or publish your submission yourself, once you receive the formal acceptance of your evidence to the Committee. When doing so, please indicate that it has been submitted to the Committee.
4. The Committee will usually publish the majority of written evidence that is received, but some submissions will be placed in the Parliamentary Archives for public inspection rather than being printed or published online. If you do not wish your submission to be made public, you must clearly say so, and should contact a member of staff to discuss this. Though the Committee is happy to receive copies of published material or correspondence sent to other parties, formal submissions of evidence should be original work produced for the Committee and not published elsewhere.
5. Committee staff are happy to give more detailed guidance on giving evidence to a select committee, or further advice on any aspect of the Committee’s work, by phone or e-mail.
Additional information on submitting evidence to a Select Committee is available online in the House of Commons
.
