HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 cc497-8W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what notification he has received of meetings during the Belgian presidency of the EU where the Belgian delegation will be led by Ministers from the Flemish or Walloon Governments; if he will provide details of the subject matters of these meetings; and if he will make a statement; [5800]

(2) if it is his intention for a UK delegation to EU meetings during the Belgian presidency to be led by Scottish Executive Ministers; [5799]

(3) what discussions have been held between Scottish Executive and Her Majesty's Government regarding UK support for the proposals in the agreement of the constitutional regions, with particular reference to the proposal for direct access for the Scottish Executive to the European Court of Justice; what his policy is in respect of the agreement; and if he will make a statement; [5802]

(4) if he will set out the mechanism by which it is agreed with the Scottish Executive who will lead the UK delegation to EU Council of Ministers meetings; if it is the presumption in all cases that UK delegations are led by the UK Government: and if he will make a statement; [5801]

(5) in respect of each year since 1999, how many delegations to European Union meetings have (a) included Scottish Executive Ministers and (b) been led by a Scottish Executive Minister; if he will list the subject matter and location of each meeting; and if he will make a statement. [5798]

Peter Hain

I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letters in the Libraries of the House.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for promoting Scottish trade, tourism and inward investment; if he will list the events or activities he has specifically arranged for the next six months in(a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) the rest of the world for such promotion; and if he will list the documents his Department has produced, and the events his Department has organised over the last three years, which specifically and exclusively promote Scottish trade, tourism and inward investment. [5817]

Mr. MacShane

My Department—through British Trade International—promotes the whole of the UK as a location for inward investment and delivers export advice and support to companies throughout the UK. It works closely with Scottish Trade International and Locate in Scotland both within the UK and overseas. I urge all ambassadors to serve Scottish whisky at receptions and official meals. The promotion of the UK as a destination for tourism is primarily a matter for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

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