§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review the way in which his Department communicates with the Agricultural Section of the National Assembly for Wales, with regard to information emanating from the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [107230]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 27 January 2000]: This Department is committed to providing all the devolved administrations with full and comprehensive details, as early as possible, of all developments and initiatives within the framework of the European Union which may be relevant to them. The devolved administrations are also committed to informing this Department of any direct approaches they receive from the Commission on new policy initiatives. These arrangements are reflected in the draft bilateral Concordat between MAFF and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales. Similar working arrangements were in place between officials in MAFF and the Welsh Office Agriculture Department before devolution. If a need to revise the practices is identified and agreed, the Concordat can be amended at any time.