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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Competitiveness Council on 7 March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [221258] Mr. Sutcliffe: My noble Friend the Minister for Science and Innovation attended the Competitiveness Council on 7 March. The Council held a discussion of the Lisbon mid-term review based on the Commission's Communication to the Spring European Council. The Commission called on member states to work together for growth and employment to contribute to the EU's longer term sustainable development, and for concrete action to implement economic reform. The UK said the Competitiveness Council should focus on delivering practical outcomes in the key areas of Better Regulation, Chemicals (REACH), Services and the 7th Framework Programme on Research and Development (FP7). The Council adopted its contribution to the Spring European Council, which included particular reference to encouraging growth and innovation, making Europe more attractive to investment, developing and deepening the Internal Market and ensuring an integrated approach to competitiveness. The Council held an exchange of views on Better Regulation and the Simplification process, which are seen as key elements in the Lisbon agenda and increasing competitiveness. The Council noted the Commission's intention to improve impact assessments on the competitiveness implications of new legislative and policy measures. The Commission is to analyse a number of key sectors in 2005 to identify obstacles to growth and innovation. The UK welcomed the Commission's renewed commitment in this area and underlined the importance of the Better Regulation agenda. The Council had an exchange of views on stimulating entrepreneurship, based on the Commission's 5th Annual Report on the Implementation of the European Charter for Small Enterprises. The Council recognised the role of the Charter in reinforcing SME policy and will continue to follow its progress, taking into account the Lisbon mid-term review. The Council took note of information from the Commission on the current stage of negotiations concerning the future construction of an International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The Council will return to this issue during its next meeting, on 18 April 2005. The Council had an informal discussion of the proposed Services Directive over lunch. The Council took note of an update from the Presidency on Working Group discussion of REACH (proposal for a Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). The Council took note of information from the Presidency and Commission on the European Parliament's second reading of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. The Council took note of written information from the Italian delegation and interventions from the Commission and a number of member states on difficulties encountered in the textiles, clothing and footwear sectors. The Council adopted without discussion its Common Position on Computer Implemented Inventions, confirming the political agreement reached last May. The UK voted in favour.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c68-9W;432 c66-7W; 221258

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Competition Innovation EU action Nuclear power Voting behaviour Regulation Research Textiles EU Competitiveness Council

Link

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