§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Research Council held in Brussels on 16 November; and if he will make a statement. [139508]
§ Ms HewittI am pleased to report that the Council of 16 November
Received presentations from the Commission on its recent Innovation and European Research Area Communications, and after an exchange of views adopted a Resolution which endorses the approach outlined in the latter.Adopted a Resolution on the Commission Communication "Europe and Space: turning to a new chapter".Approved a negotiating mandate for the Commission, on a legal entity for the construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), subject to any future decision to build one.109WDiscussed the links between Science and Society.Under Other Business, the Council received information from the Presidency on a mechanism for independent scientific advice to the European Institutions, policy for a European approach to therapeutic trials concerning AIDS, and Alpha Galileo, an internet-based press centre for European science, engineering and technology.