Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 12 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 December 2005. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Act of Austria

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings of the (a) Committee on implementation of Protocol 9 to the Act of Austria concerning transport by road and rail and combined transport (Ecopoints), (b) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of roadworthiness tests of vehicles, (c) Committee for a transparent system of harmonised rules for restrictions on heavy goods vehicles involved in international transport on designated roads and (d) Advisory Committee for the harmonisation and comparability of the accounting and annual accounts of railway undertakings have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; what other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The information requested is as follows.(a) and (b) There were no meetings of these Committees during the UK presidency.(c) As legislation on harmonised driving restrictions has yet to be adopted this Committee has not yet met.(d) There were no meetings of this Committee during the UK presidency.The UK Government takes into account the views and interests of the devolved administrations when formulating the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch upon devolved matters. Provision for attendance at EU meetings by Ministers and officials of the devolved administrations is set out in paragraphs 4.12–15 of the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues (part of the Memorandum of Understanding between devolved Ministers and the UK Government). Ministers from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend Councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.A copy is available on the internet at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_ 600629.pdf

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 38035; 441 c12W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Committees Department for Transport EU action Meetings EU transport policy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk