Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Thursday, 3 June 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 June 1999. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 June 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 20th May, 331 c445-6W, when, and by whom, the agenda for the additional European Council Meeting due in October at Tampere, Finland, concerning judicial and home affairs in the European Union will be published; what principal documents will be available to the public and national parliaments prior to that meeting; and when it is planned that they will be available.

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 1999, Official Report, columns 445-46, when, and by whom, the agenda for the additional European Council Meeting due in October at Tampere, Finland, concerning judicial and home affairs in the European Union will be published; what principal documents will be available to the public and national Parliaments prior to that meeting; and when it is planned that they will be available. [86232] Mr. Straw: There is normally no formal agenda for European Councils. The German Presidency and the incoming Finnish Presidency have proposed that the Tampere special European Council should focus on three main issues: immigration and asylum, the fight against cross-border crime and the establishment of a European judicial area, including citizens' access to justice. A list of documents to be submitted to the European Council is unlikely to be finalised until shortly before the meeting. Appropriate documents will be made available to the public and Parliament in accordance with the normal procedures.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 333 c91W; 86232
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Disclosure of information EU justice and home affairs Publications Meetings European Council