§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, at the next General Affairs Council, he will propose that its next meeting shall be held wholly or partially in public, pursuant to its order of procedure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAt its next meeting on 9 November the General Affairs Council, as instructed by the European Council at Birmingham, will discuss ways in which all Councils can conduct their business in a more open and transparent way. As Chairman of the Council, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will call upon Foreign Ministers to consider a number of ideas including the question of whether, and under what circumstances, Council meetings should be held in open session.