§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason no devolved Administration Minister attended the 2417 European Union Council of Ministers (Research) meeting on 11 March; which suggestions and matters of concern from the Scottish Executive were raised in their absence by the UK Government delegation; and what information and evidence was provided by her Department to enable effective post-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament. [51730]
§ Ms HewittThere was no requirement for a devolved Administration Minister to attend the Council of Ministers research meeting on 11 March. No suggestions or matters of concern from the Scottish Executive were raised in their absence by the UK Government delegation. In developing the UK Government's position on European research issues, the Office of Science and Technology regularly consults the devolved Administrations. It is the responsibility of the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise the Scottish Executive's involvement in EU Council meetings. These arrangements are a matter for the Committee and the Scottish Executive. My Department provides information to Scottish Executive officials as part of that process.