§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what procedure he expects the Council of Ministers to appoint a Foreign Affairs spokesperson, as proposed in drafts of the treaty of Amsterdam; under what terms such a person will operate; and what arrangements will be made for their direct consultation with the Foreign Ministers of member states prior to the exercise of their functions. [3906]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonUnder the Presidency's current proposal, the Secretary-General of the Council would assist the Council in the common foreign and security policy field, contributing to the formulation, preparation and implementation of policy decisions. When appropriate, he or she would conduct political dialogue with third parties on behalf of the Council at the request of the Presidency. The Secretary-General is appointed by the Council acting unanimously and would operate in this new role on the basis of clearly defined mandates from the Council.