HL Deb 27 May 1999 vol 601 c103WA
Lord Acton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements have been made for ministerial consideration of European trade policy issues. [HL2686]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

The Prime Minister has established a new committee to discuss these issues. The Sub-Committee on European Trade Issues (E)DOP(T), under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, will report to the Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues ((E)DOP), which also meets under the Foreign Secretary's chairmanship. The composition and terms of reference of this new committee are as follows:

Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Trade Issues

  • Composition
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chairman)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Other Ministers will be invited to attend as the nature of the business requires.
  • The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union is also in attendance.

Terms of Reference

"To consider questions relating to European Union trade policy issues and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues."