HC Deb 13 June 2002 vol 386 cc1361-2W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to review the way in which Scottish agriculture issues are dealt with by the UK Government at the EC level. [60058]

Mr. Morley

[Holding answer 10 June 2002]As necessary, this Department will continue to deal with Scottish agricultural issues at the EU level in accordance with the provisions of the "Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements between the United Kingdom Government, Scottish Ministers and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales" (Cm 4444) and a bilateral concordat with the Scottish Executive.

Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department had with the Scottish Executive in formulating the UK's negotiating position on the mid-term review of the CAP. [60057]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 10 June 2002]The UK's negotiating position on the mid-term review of the CAP is the subject of an ongoing dialogue between this Department and the devolved administrations. It is, for example, a recurring item for discussion between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and Agriculture Ministers from the devolved administrations at their regular meetings, most recently on 22 May 2002.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a Scottish Executive Minister will be a member of the UK delegation to the Agriculture European Union Council of Ministers meeting on 27 May; and what information is being provided by her Department to the Scottish Executive in connection with pre-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament.[60277]

Mr. Morley

No Scottish Executive Minister attended the EU Agriculture Council meeting on 27 May. As regards pre-Council scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 24 April 2002,Official Report, column 276W.