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Treasury

Answer

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason no devolved Administration Minister attended the 2407 European Union Council of Ministers (ECOFIN) meeting on 12 February; what suggestions and matters of concern from the Scottish Executive were raised in their absence by the UK Government delegation; and what information and evidence is being provided by him to permit post-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament. [38036] Ruth Kelly: Ministers from the devolved Administrations attend Council meetings whenever appropriate. Decisions on attendance are taken by the lead UK Minister on a case-by-case basis. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that, under the Scotland Act 1998, fiscal, economic and monetary policy--in other words matters dealt with by ECOFIN Council--is reserved for Westminster. As such, parliamentary scrutiny is achieved through the Commons European Scrutiny Committee--of which the hon. Gentleman is a member--and through the House of Lords European Union Committee.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

38036; 380 c1327W;380 c1329W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Disclosure of information Devolved matters Attendance EU action Parliamentary scrutiny Ministers Scottish Parliament Scottish Executive UK delegations EC Finance Council

Link

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