The Government is clear that the European Commission\u2019s role is as set out in the relevant Treaties. Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) specifies that the European Commission\u2019s 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.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1816", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Wallace of Saltaire"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-22T16:23:28.697Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Commission"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1775", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Willoughby de Broke"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Willoughby de Broke"} ], "uin" : "HL3675"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101687", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101687/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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\u2019s and Customs\u2019 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.<\/p>
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The Government will publish draft legislation in due course.<\/p>
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