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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the Implementation of the Action Programme to Tackle Discrimination and (ii) Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive Industries met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [218314] Jane Kennedy: The EU Committee for Implementation of the Action Programme to Promote Gender Equality meets twice a year in Brussels. The last three meetings were held on 11 November 2003 (during the Italian presidency), 20 July 2004 and 15 October 2004 (both of which were in the Dutch presidency). There was no meeting during the Irish presidency. An official from DTI attended the last two meetings in 2004. The Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive Industries met once, in Luxembourg on 3 December 2003, during the Italian presidency of the EU. The Committee did not meet during the Irish and Dutch presidencies. A member of the Health and Safety Executive represented the UK Government at the 3 December 2003 meeting. There have been three Command Papers produced on prospects for the European Union which include highlights from the presidencies in question--Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005. They are available in the Library and on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/ commandpapers.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

431 c2013-4W;431 c2005-6W; 218314

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Committees Department for Work and Pensions Equality Government departments EU action Location Meetings Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other Extractive Industries

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk