European Trade Policy

HC Deb 26 May 1999 vol 332 cc194-5W

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for Ministerial consideration of European trade policy issues. [85730]

The Prime Minister

I have established a new Committee to discuss these issues. The Sub-Committee on European Trade Issues (E)DOP(T), under the Chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, will report to the Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues ((E)DOP), which also meets under the Foreign Secretary's Chairmanship. The composition and Terms of Reference of this new Committee are as follows:

Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Trade Issues ((E)DOP(T)) Composition: Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chairman) Chancellor of the Exchequer Secretary of State for International Development Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Other Ministers will be 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 European Union trade policy issues and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Sub-Committee on European issues.