HL Deb 21 October 1998 vol 593 cc161-77WA
Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

If they will publish an updated list of Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet. [HL3525]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

An updated list of the names and membership of the Ministerial Committees which my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has established to date appears below. In addition to the members listed, other members are invited to attend meetings as and when business requires:

Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA)

Composition:

  • Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

The Chief Scientific Adviser attends for issues relating to science and technology.

Terms of Reference: To consider issues relating to the Government's economic policies.

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Energy Policy (EA(N))

Composition:

  • Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Paymaster General, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  • Minister of State, Scottish Office
  • Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

Terms of Reference: To consider the principles and objectives which should underlie the United Kingdom's energy strategy; and make recommendations for an energy strategy to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs.

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Welfare to Work (EA(WW))

Composition:

  • Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Paymaster General, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference: To develop policies to get people from welfare to work and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA).

Ministerial Committee on Public Services and Public Expenditure (PSX)

Composition:

  • Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
  • Lord Chancellor
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited to attend for matters in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference: To monitor progress against public service agreements, to review public expenditure allocations and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

Ministerial Committee on the Environment (ENV)

Composition:

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of Transport
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

The Secretary of State for Social Security and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment also receive papers. They and other Ministers are invited to attend as necessary.

The Chief Scientific Adviser attends for issues relating to science and technology.

Terms of Reference: To consider environmental policies and to co-ordinate those on sustainable development.

Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL)

Composition:

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Lord Chancellor
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
    • WA 165
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of Transport
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have departmental interest.

Terms of Reference: To consider issues affecting local government, including the annual allocation of resources.

Ministerial Sub-Committee on London (GL(L))

Composition:

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
  • Paymaster General, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Culture, Media and Sport
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security

Terms of Reference: To co-ordinate the Government's policies on London, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL) and the Ministerial Committee on Devolution Policy (DP).

Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)

Composition:

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Lord Chancellor
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
    • WA 166
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of Transport
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

The Attorney General, the Lord Advocate and the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms also receive papers. They and others are invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference: To consider issues of home and social policy.

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Health Strategy (HS (H))

Composition:

  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Economic Secretary, Treasury
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

The Chief Medical Officer is in attendance.

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference: To oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the Government's health strategy; to co-ordinate the Government's policies on United Kingdom-wide issues affecting health; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS).

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Drug Misuse (HS(D))

Composition:

  • Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Solicitor General
  • Financial Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions also receives papers and may be invited to attend as appropriate.

Terms of Reference: To co-ordinate the Government's national and international policies for tackling drugs misuse, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS).

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Women's Issues (HS(W))

Composition:

  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal) (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Minister of State, Scottish Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Economic Secretary, Treasury
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
    • WA 168
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

Terms of Reference: To review and develop the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women; to oversee their implementation; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS).

Ministerial Committee on The Queen's Speeches and Future Legislation (QFL)

Composition:

  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Lord Chancellor
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Attorney General
  • Lord Advocate
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  • Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is invited to attend for discussions of The Queen's Speeches.

Terms of Reference: To prepare and submit to the Cabinet drafts of The Queen's Speeches to Parliament and proposals for the Government's legislative programme.

Ministerial Committee on Legislation (LEG)

Composition:

  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
  • Lord Chancellor
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Attorney General
  • Lord Advocate
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
    • WA 169
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • Financial Secretary, Treasury
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also receives papers and is invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference: To examine all draft Bills; to consider the parliamentary handling of Government Bills, European Community documents and Private Members' business, and such other related matters as may be necessary; and to keep under review the Government's policy in relation to issues of Parliamentary procedures.

Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy (CRP)

Composition:

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Lord Chancellor
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)

Other Ministers may be invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference: To consider strategic issues relating to the Government's constitutional reform policies".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights (CRP(EC))

Composition:

  • Lord Chancellor (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Secretary of State for Health
    • WA 170
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Attorney General
  • Lord Advocate

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest. The Minister of State, Cabinet Office receives papers.

Terms of Reference: To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's decision to legislate for the incorporation of ECHR in UK law and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation, reporting as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy.

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Freedom of Information (CRP(FOI))

Composition:

  • Lord Chancellor (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Paliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Attorney General
  • Lord Advocate
  • Minister of Transport
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference: To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's decision to legislate on freedom of information; to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy.

Ministerial Sub-Committee on House of Lords Reform (CRP(HL))

Composition:

  • Lord Chancellor (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference: to consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's plans for reform of the House of Lords and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy.

Ministerial Committee on Devolution Policy (DP)

Composition:

  • Lord Chancellor (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms
    • WA 172
  • Attorney General
  • Lord Advocate
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited for items in which they have departmental interest.

Terms of Reference: To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's policies for devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the regions of England and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation.

Joint Consultative Committee with the Liberal Democratic Party (JCC)

Composition: The Committee will be chaired by the Prime Minister. Other Ministers and Liberal Democratic spokesmen will be invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference: To consider policy issues of joint interest to the Government and the Liberal Democratic Party.

Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP)

Composition:

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

The Chief of the Defence Staff attends as required, as do the Chiefs of Staff when necessary. Others are invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference: To keep under review the Government's defence and overseas policy.

Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues ((E)DOP)

Composition:

  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
    • WA 173
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Attorney General
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office receives papers.

Other Ministers are invited to attend as the nature of the business requires.

The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union is also in attendance.

Terms of Reference: To consider questions relating to the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP).

Ministerial Committee on Northern Ireland (IN)

Composition:

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Terms of Reference: To oversee the Government's policy on Northern Ireland issues and relations with the Republic of Ireland on these matters.

Ministerial Committee on the Intelligence Services (CSI)

Composition:

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Defence

Terms of Reference: To keep under review policy on the security and intelligence services.

Ministerial Group on Food Safety (MISC 1)

Composition:

  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry

The Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip will also receive papers and may attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference: To co-ordinate Departmental consideration of issues arising from the establishment of a Food Standards Agency and other aspects of food safety, and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs.

Ministerial Group on Crime Reduction and Youth Justice (MISC 2)

Composition:

  • Secretary of State for the Home Department (Chair)
  • Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Solicitor General
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also receives papers, and may attend or be represented as necessary.

Terms of Reference: To oversee the Government's programme to reduce crime and the reform of youth justice and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs.

Ministerial Group on Utility Regulation (MISC 3)

Composition:

  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Chair)
  • Minister of Transport
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Paymaster General, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Scottish Office
  • Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference: To oversee an inter-departmental review of regulation of the utility industries, to consider issues arising from the review and to report to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA).

Ministerial Group on the Millennium Date Change (MISC 4)

Composition:

  • President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Paymaster General, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • Minister of State, Scottish Office
  • Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

The Chairman of Action 2000 and the Prime Minister's Adviser on the Year 2000 problem are invited to attend.

Terms of Reference: To drive action in the public and private sector, including the national infrastructure, to prevent damage from the failure of electronic systems related to the Year 2000 date change.

Ministerial Group on the Restructuring of the European Aerospace and Defence Industry (MISC 5)

Composition:

  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Paymaster General
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry

Terms of Reference: To develop Government policy and co-ordinate related activity in promoting the restructuring of the European aerospace and defence industry.

Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification (MISC 6)

Composition:

  • Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Financial Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

The Chief Scientific Adviser also attends.

Terms of Reference: To consider issues relating to biotechnology, in particular those arising from genetic modification.

Ministerial Group on Better Government (MISC 7)

Composition:

  • Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Education and Employment
    • WA 177
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Secretary of State for Social Security
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Chief Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department
  • Minister of State, Scottish Office
  • Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • Minister of State, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

Terms of Reference: To develop the Government's programme for improving the quality, coherence and responsiveness of public services and to oversee its implementation.

Sterling and Foreign Exchange Markets

Lord Sudeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Taking into account the powers of the European Central Bank in relation to a single European currency, what measures they are taking to strengthen sterling, especially after having given greater autonomy to the Bank of England. [HL3454]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

While the UK remains outside EMU, sterling will continue to float freely on the foreign exchange markets. The Government do not have a target for sterling, but a stable and competitive exchange rate is sought over the medium term, consistent with the objective of price stability. The only way to ensure long-term exchange rate stability is through the pursuit of sound macroeconomic policies aimed at achieving sustained growth and low inflation. The independence of the Bank of England in setting interest rates to achieve the Government's inflation target plays an integral part in achieving these objectives.