HC Deb 15 January 2001 vol 361 cc3-5W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the letters from Nice of the (i) Spanish and (ii) Italian Prime Ministers on operational co-operation in controlling the EU external borders, referred to in Presidency conclusion section 49. [144582]

Mr. Vaz

I have been asked to reply.

The Prime Ministers of Italy and Spain wrote a joint letter to President Chirac, President-In-Office of the European Council, on 7 December 2000. A copy of the letter has been deposited in the Library.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister to which two documents section 50 of the Nice Presidency Conclusions refers. [144638]

Mr. Vaz

I have been asked to reply.

The two documents referred to in paragraph 50 of the Nice Conclusions are: Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: On a Community Immigration Policy. [COM (2000) 757], 22 November 2000.

This document was deposited for Parliamentary scrutiny on 4 December 2000. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Towards a Common Asylum Procedure and a Uniform Status, valid throughout the Union, for Persons Granted Asylum. 13119/00 [COM (2000) 755], 27 November 2000.

This document was deposited for Parliamentary scrutiny on 12 January 2001.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his position on including a declaration on Sport in the Presidency Conclusions of Nice, indicating the Treaty base for such a declaration. [144642]

Kate Hoey

I have been asked to reply.

The Government welcomed the inclusion of a declaration on Sport in the Presidency Conclusions at Nice as it is right to join with other member states in acknowledging the special nature of sport in modern society. The declaration makes it clear that sport should retain its independence and that the organisation of support for sport is a matter for member states and governing bodies of sport.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister what manner of directive is planned to promote gender equality in areas other than employment and professional life, as set out in Annex I, V(c) of the Nice Presidency Conclusions. [144640]

Ms Jowell

I have been asked to reply.

The European Commission has as yet given no indication of what it is considering proposing under this heading. As usual, Ministers in the Council will scrutinise the proposals carefully when they are made. Any directive under Article 13 requires the unanimity of member states.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the planned (i) budget and (ii) roles of the(a) European Monitoring Centre on Change, (b) European Institute for Gender Issues and (c) Gender Expert network, referred to in the Nice Presidency Conclusions. [144641]

Ms Jowell

I have been asked to reply.

The European Commission has not yet indicated what the suggested remit and budget will be for the European Monitoring Centre on Change, the European Institute for Gender Issues or the experts' network. When formal proposals are made, the Council of Ministers will scrutinise them carefully.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the increase of state aid permissible under the Nice Treaty. [144632]

Mr. Caborn

I have been asked to reply.

The Nice Treaty did not make any changes to the rules on state aid which increase permissible aid. The recent trend in state aid has been downwards.