§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many meetings of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe there have been in the year to 31 January 2000; and how many were attended by British Ministers. [HL888]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThere have been two meetings of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in the year to 31 January 2000, one of which was attended by a British Minister. (Lord Williams of Mostyn, then Minister of State at the Home Office, attended the meeting in May 1999.)
§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the priority they accord to relations with Russia and other former communist countries is reflected in the attendance record of British Ministers at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. [HL889]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe high priority which the Government attach to their relations with Russia and other former communist countries does not necessarily affect decisions on ministerial attendance at Council of Europe meetings. Decisions on Ministers' attendance at such meetings depend on the priorities of the various calls on their time.