Justice and Internal Affairs Council

HC Deb 24 February 1999 vol 326 cc305-6W

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the issues for discussion before the Justice and Internal Affairs Council on 12 March, indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72737]

Kate Hoey

I have been asked to reply.

Agendas for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Councils, which are determined by the Presidency of the day, are nearly always finalised only very shortly before Council meetings themselves. The agenda for the JHA Council on 12 March is still in draft form, and is very likely to undergo substantial further revision. Current indications are that major items are likely to be Europol, questions relating to the transition from the Maastricht to the Amsterdam Treaty with regard to Conventions, and preparation of a meeting with central and eastern European countries and Cyprus, which will take place in the afternoon.

An annotated agenda will be sent to the Select Committee on European Scrutiny in the normal way, as soon as possible.