HC Deb 15 February 1994 vol 237 cc713-4W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with his opposite numbers in the European Union, concerning the democratic accountability of members of the Committee of the Regions to their respective regions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Under the arrangements agreed by all member states in the Maastricht treaty—article 198—members of the Committee of the Regionsshall be completely independent in the performance of their duties, in the general interest of the European Community". The committee consists of representatives of regional and local bodies, and each British representative must be an elected member of a local authority, but The members of the Committee may not be bound by any mandatory instructions.

  1. (b) Yes
  2. (c) Yes

Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a table showing, in 1992–93 prices, the gross public spending for each year since 1990–91 and the projected expenditure for each year to 1995–96 for each executive non-departmental public body sponsored by his department, as listed in "Public Bodies 1993".

Mr. Goodlad

Gross public spending since 1990–91 for each executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including the Overseas Development Administration, was as follows, in 1992–93 prices: