§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to publicise in advance the agendas of all meetings of the European Council and Councils of Ministers and their working groups; and what plans the current Presidency of the Union has on this issue. [90972]
§ Ms QuinThere are no formal agendas for European Councils. But it is normal for the Foreign Secretary to give oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on the topics most likely to be discussed. Regular European Councils are also preceded by a debate on the floor of the House.
As regards Council of Ministers meetings, we regularly inform Parliament about details of EU business. The European Scrutiny Committee is also informed of relevant agenda items before each Council of Ministers meeting, and a copy of the information routinely placed in the Library of the House.
We understand that the Finnish Presidency intends to post the agendas of both Council of Ministers and Coreper meetings on the Internet and that Council working group agendas will be available on request from the Finnish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.