§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the Scottish Executive's commitment to direct access to the European Court of Justice included in the Political Declaration of the Constitutional Regions signed on 28 May. [437]
§ Peter HainWe welcome all contributions to the debate on the Future of Europe.
In signing the Declaration, the Scottish Executive did not commit itself to a proposal to give regional governments direct access to the European Court of Justice. Instead, it supported the joint views of the co-signatories that consideration should be given to this topic, along with others, in the broad debate on the Future of Europe.
Final decisions will be taken by member states at the next Intergovernmental Conference in 2004. The Scottish Executive will, of course, be involved in formulating the UK position.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held between Her Majesty's Government and the Scottish Executive concerning direct Scottish Executive access to the European Court of Justice. [438]
§ Peter HainHMG work closely and in co-operation with the Scottish Executive on all EU policy issues in line with the Memorandum of Understanding and the concordats on International Relations and European Union Policy Issues.