§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) dates and (b) venues of future meetings of the European Union Code of Conduct Group. [43573]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 1 June 1998]Given that paragraph 12 of the Council Conclusions of 9 March 1998 states that the Council
agrees that the work of the Code of Conduct group shall be confidential",the Government cannot give the dates and venues of meetings. However, paragraph 10 of the same conclusions provide that
272Wthe Group shall meet not less than twice a year".
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list and place in the Library copies of papers and reports prepared for forthcoming meetings of the European Union Code of Conduct Group; [43574]
(2) if he will list the subjects for discussion at the next meeting of the European Union Code of Conduct Group. [43571]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 1 June 1998]Paragraph 12 of the Council Conclusions of 9 March 1998 states that the Council
agrees that the work of the Code of Conduct Group shall be confidential".The Government are not, therefore, at liberty to place papers before the Group in the Library of the House, or to comment on the issues for discussion. However, the Government will place in the Library reports from the Group to the Council which are published, and inter-institutional Communications on harmful tax competition will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny in the normal way.