§ Dr. Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of which professions and occupations directives are being prepared by the Commission of the European Economic Community for mutual recognition of qualifications between member States; and how advanced these preparations are.
§ Mr. John DaviesThe information requested is being collated.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement showing the detailed responsibilities of each of the recently appointed members of the EEC Commission.
§ Mr. John DaviesThis information is contained in a Press release issued on 9th January by the European Communities Press and Information Office in London. A copy is available in the Library.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that statements about Her Majesty's Government's policies in relation to the EEC are made first to the House of Commons.
§ Mr. John DaviesThe Government will continue to keep the House fully informed about their policies in relation to the European Communities.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement showing the number of meetings, with dates, of the EEC Council of Ministers expected in the coming 12 months; and if he will take steps to ensure that the Scottish Office is represented on all occasions.
§ Mr. John DaviesMeetings of the Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) usually take place at approximately monthly intervals. The dates of those so far arranged for 1973 are as follows:
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- 5th-6th February.
- 5th-6th March.
- 2nd-3rd April.
- 14th-15th May.
- 4th-5th June.
- 25th-26th June.
Other Council of Ministers meetings so far arranged are as follows:
- Ministers of Agriculture 19th-20th February.
- Ministers of Agriculture 12th-13th March.
- Ministers of Agriculture 26th-27th March.
- Ministers of the Environment 28th-30th March.
Scottish interests will be fully taken into account by the United Kingdom Representatives at all Council meetings. The Scottish Office will be represented as appropriate.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it will be the policy of Her Majesty's Government to accept all decisions of the EEC Council of Ministers except where they indicate otherwise; and if Ministers will be responsible to Parliament for such decisions.
§ Mr. John DaviesHer Majesty's Government will be guided by the terms of Article 189 of the EEC Treaty in accepting decisions of the Council of the European Communities. Ministers will be responsible to Parliament in these matters in so far as actions by British representatives and proposals made by them are concerned.