§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library minutes and details of the date and venue of meetings held with Scottish Executive(a) Ministers and (b) officials to discuss Scottish Executive participation in UK delegations to Council of Ministers meetings; how many times Scottish Executive Ministers have sought to lead UK delegations to EU Council of Ministers meetings; how often Scottish Ministers have led UK delegations to Council of Ministers meetings when other UK Ministers have been part of the delegation; if he will make it his policy for Scottish Executive Ministers to be lead UK Ministers at Council of Ministers meetings where the matters are largely the responsibility of Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [6952]
§ Peter HainThe devolved Administrations have an important interest in European policy matters in relation to devolved matters, and their Ministers and officials have an important role to play in relevant Council meetings. Decisions on attendance are taken by the lead UK Minister on a case-by-case basis.
As yet there have been no occasions when Scottish Executive Ministers have led UK delegations when UK Ministers have been part of the delegation, but this could well be the case if appropriate in the future.