HC Deb 09 June 1976 vol 912 cc693-4W
28. Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to attend the EEC Council of Ministers.

Mr. Millan

Whenever the need arises.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether his Department will be represented at ministerial or at official level at the EEC tripartite conference on Finance and Employment to be held on 24th June;

(2) whether his Department will be represented at ministerial or at official level at the Agricultural Ministers' meeting of the EEC on 21st and 22nd June;

(3) whether his Department will be represented at ministerial or at official level at the Energy Ministers' meeting of the EEC on 10th June.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

Ministers from the Scottish Office have no plans to attend either the tripartite conference on finance and employment or the Energy Ministers' meeting, nor have officials. The delegation for the Agricultural Ministers' meeting will be decided when the agenda is settled.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how often officials of his Department have been present as part of the United Kingdom delegation to EEC Council of Ministers' meetings when that body has been discussing energy;

(2) how often officials of his Department have been present as part of the United Kingdom delegation to EEC Council of Ministers' meetings when that body has been discussing transport;

(3) if officials of his Department were among the United Kingdom delegation attending EEC Council of Ministers' meetings dealing with agriculture on 4th March, 26th and 27th May, 23rd and 24th June, 21st and 22nd July, 9th and 10th September, 29th and 30th September, 13th and 14th October and 29th and 30th October 1975;

(4) how often his Department has been represented by officials at EEC Council of Ministers' meetings which have dealt with the Community budget.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

Officials of my Department attended the Council of Ministers (Agriculture) meetings on 4th March and 29th and 30th October 1975. They have not attended meetings of the Councils of Ministers (Energy, Transport and Finance).