§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [80418]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Treaty of Amsterdam will introduce a chapter on employment which imposes new responsibilities on member states. The employment chapter formalises and builds on the strategy developed by successive European Councils since 1994; its effect on departmental staffing is likely to be unquantifiable. The other bodies principally concerned are the Council and the Commission. The relevant section of the consolidated treaties is Title VIII (ex Title VIa), Articles 125–130.