§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions the UK delegation to a meeting of the European Council of Ministers has been led by someone other than a Member of Her Majesty's Government; and if he will list those involved. [145646]
§ Mr. VazOn 8 June 2000 Nicol Stephen, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in the Scottish Executive, led for the UK at the Education Council. This was the only occasion since May 1997 that the UK has not been represented in the Council of Ministers by a Member of the Westminster Parliament. This substitution was agreed with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education, and was fully in line with the Government's agreement with the devolved Administrations.