The UK National Parliament Office, Brussels
What is the National Parliament Office?
The UK National Parliament Office (NPO) is the office which represents both Houses of the UK Parliament at EU level. Established in October 1999, it is staffed by three officials - two from the Commons and one from the Lords. Its offices are located on the European Parliament's premises in Brussels.
The main function of the Office is to assist the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee (ESC) and the House of Lords European Union Committee (EUC) in the tasks which they carry out on behalf of each House in relation to European matters.
The NPO is independent both of the UK's Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep) and of the European Parliament.
Why does the UK Parliament need an office in Brussels?
The NPO acts as an observation post for both Houses in Brussels, and as the "eyes and ears" of the Commons ESC and the Lords EUC, giving early warning on issues of particular interest or importance and supplying information on European legislation and other matters which may not be readily available in London. The Office regularly briefs the two Committees on the activities of the European institutions.
Contact details:
UK National Parliament Office
European Parliament
RMD 01 J 040
81-93 Rue Belliard
B-1047 Brussels
(Also in Strasbourg during EP plenary weeks:
European Parliament, IPE3 F03045)
Libby Kurien (née Davidson) (Commons Representative)
libby.davidson@europarl.europa.eu
kurienl@parliament.uk
Tel: (Brussels) 00 32 (0)2 284 3703
(Strasbourg) 00 33 (0)3 88 17 68 46
Graham Ziegner (Commons Deputy Representative)
graham.ziegner@europarl.europa.eu
ziegnerg@parliament.uk
Tel: (Brussels) 00 32 (0)2 284 4656
(Strasbourg) 00 33 (0)3 88 17 68 42
Ed Lock (Lords Representative)
ed.lock@europarl.europa.eu
locked@parliament.uk
Tel: (Brussels) 00 32 (0)2 283 1496
Further Information:
The National Parliament Office and Scrutiny of EU Legislation
The NPO's role in how the UK Parliament scrutinises EU legislation.
The Work of the National Parliament Office
How the NPO provides information to the UK Parliament to inform the scrutiny process.
