Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 15 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 December 2005. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Thursday, 26 January 2006 on behalf of the Treasury.

EU Committees

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the EU (a) European Area Joint Committee, (b) Joint Committee with the countries of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), (c) Joint Committee on the Agreement concerning products of the clock and watch industry between the EEC and Switzerland and (d) Joint Committee on the Agreement between Switzerland and the EEC on the processing traffic in textiles 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 representations of the devolved governments; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The information is as follows:(a) The European Economic Area Joint Committee is made up of representatives of the EEA EFTA States and the European Commission and met on 8 July, 30 September, 21 October and 2 December. The UK did not attend.(b) We are not aware of any meetings of the ““Joint Committee with the countries of the European Free Trade Association”” during the UK presidency; however representatives of the Finance Ministries of the EFTA countries met in Brussels alongside the ECOFIN Council meeting on 8 November. The Paymaster General chaired a meeting with EFTA on behalf of the EU Presidency.(c) The Joint Committee on the Agreement concerning products of the clock and watch industry between the EEC and Switzerland did not meet during the UK presidency.(d) There was one meeting of the Joint Committee on the Agreement between Switzerland and the EEC on 27 October 2005. The Commission represents the EC.These working groups deal with reserved matters and as such no provision was made for representation of the devolved Administrations.

Secondary information