§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what mandate has been given to those negotiating on behalf of the European Union on the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control; and if he will list the ways in which the objectives differ from those of Her Majesty's Government. [133883]
§ Yvette CooperThe United Kingdom Government have agreed with their European Union partners and with the European Commission which are the areas of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control where the Commission has competence to negotiate on behalf of the European Union and which are the responsibility of national Governments. The Commission's negotiating mandate is based on Articles 95 (internal market) and 152 (public health); however, this will be kept under review as the work develops. Where the Commission has competence, we will work with it and with our partners with a view to reaching consensus on a negotiating position.