§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the issues for discussion before 773W the General Affairs Council on 22 and 23 February indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72742]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 24 February 1999]: I have been asked to reply.
Every six months, at the beginning of an EU Presidency, I outline to the House meetings expected during the Presidency. Every month, I give the House details of the items expected at meetings of the Council of Ministers during the month. After each meeting of the General Affairs Council, I report back to the European Scrutiny Committee on the business conducted at the General Affairs Council meeting. The Government have recently extended arrangements for scrutinising Council business to include the Second and Third Pillars of the Treaty on European Union, as well as the First Pillar. The Government will continue to promote the interests of the United Kingdom at all meetings of the Council of Ministers. However, it has not been the practice of successive Administrations to indicate the position that Ministers propose to take in advance of Council.