§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government support the proposals by the Belgian presidency of the EU seeking to implement a common code on the publicity given to documents provided to or initiated by the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Foreign Affairs Council on 6 December agreed a code of conduct for the Council and the Commission to follow in responding to requests by members of the public for access to documents held by the Council or the Commission. We supported the presidency's proposals, which fulfilled a commitment entered into at Maastricht.