§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what subjects were discussed at(a) the informal EU Council of Justice and Home Affairs 440W Ministers on 24 and 25 September and (b) the formal Council in Luxemburg on 4 and 5 October; and if he will make a statement. [94339]
§ Mr. StrawI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the meetings that took place on 16-17 September and 4 October.
The informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Turku, Finland, on 16-17 September concentrated on preparations for the European Council at Tampere. Ministers exchanged views on the three main themes—asylum and immigration, cross-border crime and developing a European Judicial Area—proposed for discussion at Tampere.
As regards the formal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 4 October, I have written to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees, in accordance with the special arrangements which apply during a recess, reporting on the outcome. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my letter.