HL Deb 11 February 2002 vol 631 cc123-4WA
Baroness Billingham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there have been any recent changes to the responsibilities of Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers. [HL2646]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Following the appointment of my right honourable friend the Member for Neath, the Minister of State for Europe (Mr Hain) as the Government Representative on the Convention on the Future of Europe, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has reallocated responsibilities as follows:

PETER HAIN—European Union, Central Europe, Southern Europe.

BARONESS SYMONS (Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and also a Minister in the Department of Trade and Industry)—trade promotion, inward investment, trade policy, North America, Britain Abroad Task Force.

BEN BRADSHAW—Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, South-East Asia, Former Soviet Union, International Security, Non-Proliferation and Security Policy issues, Counter-Terrorism, Visas.

DENIS MACSHANE—Latin America, North East Asia, China and Hong Kong, South-East Europe, drugs and international crime, environmental policy, United Nations, Human Rights, aviation, maritime and energy, science and technology public diplomacy, cultural relations, central administration and resources.

BARONESS Amos (also the Government's principal spokesperson in the House of Lords on International Development)—Africa, Commonwealth, Caribbean, Overseas Territories, consular issues, personnel.

Ben Bradshaw covers for Baroness Amos's portfolio in the House of Commons (with the exception of Africa). Denis MacShane covers the Foreign Office aspects of Baroness Symons's portfolio in the House of Commons (and also Africa).

Baroness Symons and Baroness Amos between them cover all Foreign and Commonwealth Office responsibilities in the House of Lords.