HC Deb 27 October 1988 vol 139 cc408-9W
Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the chairmanships and membership of committees including committees on technical standards by nationality within the European Commission and within the economic and social committee.

Mrs. Chalker

Committees set up by the Commission to deal with matters the Council has delegated to it are chaired by the relevant Commission officials, regardless of nationality, and consist of representatives of member states. This includes committees in the area of technical standards.

The economic and social committee has specialised sections for the main areas covered by the treaties. Representatives in the various sections decide among themselves who should chair their meetings for formulating opinions on Commission proposals.