§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health 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.[80415]
§ Ms JowellMy responsibilities are to ensure that, within the context of the Government's overall policy on the European Union, Community activities in the field of public health add value and address objectives which cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting alone. The coming into force of the Amsterdam Treaty will not alter those responsibilities. It will have minimal impact directly on the Department and its staffing. There will be an increased role for the European Parliament following amendments to Article 129 (renumbered Article 152) of the Treaty. These provide for measures to be adopted, through the co-decision procedure, to set high standards of quality and safety of organs and substances of human origin, blood and blood derivatives and in the veterinary and phytosanitary fields which have as their direct objective the protection of human health.