§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings of the European Council of Ministers took place in the past year; how many Scottish Office Ministers have attended in each case; which Minister attended; and what was the subject discussed at each of these meetings.
§ Mr. StewartThe European Council of Ministers meets on average 125 times each year.
Since the beginning of 1993 Scottish Ministers have attended the following meetings:
Date Minister 25 January 1993 Environment/Transport Council Secretary of State 18 March 1993 Fisheries Council Sir Hector Monro 24 June 1993 Fisheries Council Sir Hector Monro 20 September 1993 Joint Foreign Affairs/Agriculture Council Secretary of State 21 September 1993 Agriculture Council Secretary of State 20 October 1993 Fisheries Council Sir Hector Monro 29–30 November 1993 Justice/Interior Issues Lord Fraser 20 December 1993 Fisheries Council Sir Hector Monro 12 April 1994 Fisheries Council Lord Fraser 27–28 May 1994 Justice/Interior issues Lord Fraser 3–4 June 1994 Regional Policy Mr. Stewart In addition to the above, Scottish Office officials have also attended a further 15 Agriculture Councils and four Education Councils since the beginning of 1993.
Agendas for meetings of the Council of Ministers usually cover a number of different subjects, but all within the area of responsibility of the particular Council. Ministers generally report to Parliament on the outcome of discussions at the Council of Ministers.