§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the areas of the European Union's institutions' exclusive competence in the European Union. [29764]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 24 January 2002]: The Government accept that in certain fields, such as the common commercial policy and fisheries conservation, exclusive Community competence is essential and beneficial for all EU member states.
763WThe issue of competences will be discussed at the convention on the future of Europe, beginning on 28 February, under the heading of "A better division and delimitation of competences in the European Union".
§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the areas of member states' exclusive competence in the European Union. [29841]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 24 January 2002]: Unlike the member states, the European Communities have no inherent competence; they only have such competence as is accorded to them by the Community treaties. Accordingly, the competence of the member states is limited only to the extent that the communities have competence in accordance with the treaties.