HC Deb 07 June 1989 vol 154 cc177-8W
16. Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what direct input Scottish Office Ministers and officials have on the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.

33. Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what direct input Scottish Office Ministers and officials have on the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.

39. Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what direct input Scottish Office Ministers and officials have on the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.

Mr. Sillars

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what direct input Scottish Office ministers and officials have on the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.

Mr. Rifkind

The Scottish Office is represented at meetings of the Agriculture and Fisheries Councils by Ministers and/or senior officials. There are also frequent meetings between the Scottish Office and the EC Commission on a wide range of policy issues.

20. Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what considerations he has given to the future representation of Scottish interests within the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rifkind

Ministers and officials will continue to represent Scottish interests through attendance at Agriculture and Fisheries Councils. Officials will also continue to ensure that particular Scottish interests in other Councils are identified and taken into account in the most appropriate way.

41. Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has of the proportion of(a) primary and (b) secondary legislation relating to Scotland in the last 12 months which originally emanated from institutions of the European Community.

Mr. Rifkind

The only item of primary legislation concerns the adoption of the EC directive requiring member states to recognise professional qualifications obtained elsewhere in the Community, as it applies to teachers. This is included in the provisions of the Self-Governing Schools Etc. (Scotland) Bill. So far as secondary legislation is concerned, my Departments have implemented 16 regulations or statutory instruments ranging over agriculture and fisheries, environmental protection, planning and health.