§ 24. Mrs. McKennaTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the joint management committees on poverty and the knowledge economy. [126359]
§ Dr. ReidThe Joint Ministerial Committees on poverty and the knowledge economy, which bring together Ministers from the UK Government and the devolved Administrations, both met on 26 May, in Edinburgh. The 487W meetings were chaired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Advocate-General for Scotland represented the Scotland Office. A wide variety of issues were discussed. Areas discussed at the meeting on poverty included the work being done to help pensioners; the Children's Fund and social inclusion. Areas discussed at the meeting on the knowledge economy included jobs and skills. It was agreed that a conference on services for pensioners should take place later this year. The next meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committees on poverty and the knowledge economy will take place in the autumn.