Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 1997. It was answered by Doug Henderson (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 1997 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what standing orders have been (a) agreed and (b) published concerning the procedures to be adopted at (i) Councils of Ministers of the European Community, (ii) the European Council and (iii) inter-governmental conferences of member states; and what are the distinctive functions of European Council and inter-governmental conferences.

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what standing orders have been (a) agreed and (b) published concerning the procedures to be adopted at (i) Councils of Ministers of the European Community, (ii) the European Council and (iii) intergovernmental conferences of member states; and what are the distinctive functions of European Council and intergovernmental conferences. [15610] Mr. Doug Henderson: Rules of procedure governing the Council of Ministers are set out in a Council Decision of 6 December 1993 (93/662/EC). This was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 10 December 1993 (OJ 1993, No. L304/1). There are no formal rules of procedure for European Councils and Intergovernmental Conferences. It is for the incumbent Presidency to decide, with the agreement of the Member States, how to conduct them. The functions of European Councils and Intergovernmental Conferences are set out in Articles D and N respectively of the Treaty on European Union.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 15610; 300 c561W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Codes of practice Council of Ministers European Council Intergovernmental Conference