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Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

Answer

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how often has (a) he and (b) his Under Secretary attended meetings of the (i) Agriculture, (ii) Justice and Home Affairs, (iii) Environment and (iv) Transport Councils of Ministers in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001; and if he will make a statement. [76081] Peter Hain: Neither my predecessor nor the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has attended any meetings of the Council of Ministers. Clearly there is a limit to the number of people who can participate in any one delegation. Where council meetings cover issues of particular interest to the devolved administrations, the priority must be to accommodate Ministers from the devolved Administrations wherever possible. Assembly Ministers have attended numerous council meetings as part of the UK delegation, including seven meetings of the Agriculture Council and one Environment Council. The Government are committed to involving the devolved Administrations in formulating the UK's policy position in Europe, wherever appropriate.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

76081; 391 c872W;391 c867W

Session

2001-02

Question not reached

Yes

Subjects

Attendance Ministers Council of Ministers UK delegations EC Agriculture Council EC Transport Council EU Environment Council EC Interior and Justice Council

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk