HC Deb 28 November 2001 vol 375 cc1003-4W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Northern Ireland Grand Committee has met in Northern Ireland(a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution. [17927]

Mr. Robin Cook

Until March 1997 the Committee had no power to meet away from Westminster and it has never done so.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Scottish Grand Committee has met in Scotland(a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution. [17926]

Mr. Robin Cook

Before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament on 12 May 1999, the Scottish Grand Committee met away from Westminster as follows.

Year Number of occasions
1994 2
1995 4
1996 13
1997 3
1998 2
1999 4

The Scottish Grand Committee has only met once since the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament (on 10 July 2000).

Mr. Beggs

To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Welsh Grand Committee has met in Wales(a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution. [17902]

Mr. Robin Cook

Until March 1996 the Grand Committee had no power to meet away from Westminster; since then the Committee has met in Wales as follows:

Year Number of occasions
1997 1
1998 2
19991 1
2000 0
2001 1
1 Before 12 May 1999

The National Assembly for Wales first met on 12 May 1999.