§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each of the new responsibilities which he will assume when the signed Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each(a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80409]
§ Angela EagleThe Treaty of Amsterdam will have minimal impact on the responsibilities of the Department and no additional staff are planned. Although Article 137 of the consolidated Treaty introduces an additional Community power to legislate in Social Security, we already have extensive experience of Community Social Security legislation under Article 42. The latter legislation will, in future, be subject to co-decision with the European Parliament.