HC Deb 04 July 2002 vol 388 cc607-8W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (Seveso II) is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. (66449]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

The Committee of Competent Authorities (CCA) next meeting, which will be its eighth, will be held in Odense, Denmark, from 16 to 18 October 2002. The UK delegation will be headed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and will include others, also from HSE and the Environment Agency (EA). Matters relating to Scottish representation at such meetings should he raised with the Scottish Executive.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by asbestos is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [66459]

Mr. Meacher

There are currently no plans for the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by asbestos to meet. The UK representation on this committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations attend as necessary in accordance with their interests.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on agricultural structures and rural development is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64899]

Alun Michael

The EU Committee on agricultural structures and rural development is next due to meet on 24 July 2002. UK representation may vary according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of sufficient interest. Agendas and papers are routinely circulated to all devolved Administrations in advance of meetings and they also receive reports of matters discussed.