§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, column 471, what representations he has received from Government Departments concerning the format and aims of a non-statutory agreement between his Department and the Scottish Executive; how many representations were received from each department; and if he will make a statement. [25505]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 28 January 1998]: Discussions are being held between Departments, both at official level and Ministerial level, on all matters relating to non-statutory agreements between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive. In most cases, these discussions are in their early stages in the light of the fact that such agreements cannot be finalised until the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive are established. Parliament will be kept informed of progress on these matters.