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 Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 6 February 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

EU Committees

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the (a) Joint Committee (EC-Kingdom of Cambodia), (b) Joint Committee (EEC-China) and (c) Joint Committee (EEC-India) have taken place during the UK presidency of the EU; who presided over each meeting; which other UK representatives were present; what provisions were made for representation of the devolved Governments; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: There was no EC-Cambodia Joint Committee during the UK presidency. The EC-India Joint Commission met on 24–25 October 2005. The UK was represented by officials from the British high commission in Delhi. EC-China Joint Committee met on 4 November 2005. There was no UK representation at this meeting. Commission officials presided over both meetings.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), a copy of which is available at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/pubs/odpm_dev_600629.pdfMinisters from the devolved administrations have attended and do attend councils, by agreement with the lead Whitehall Minister.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 442 c770-1W;442 c770-1W; 39044
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Committees China EU action India Meetings Foreign and Commonwealth Office Cambodia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk