§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the European Energy and Transport Forum is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [61711]
§ Ms HewittThe European Energy and Transport Forum is a consultative committee which was established by the European Commission on 11 July 2001. Its purpose is to consider Commission initiatives in the field of energy and transport and gives its views. Its mandate is Commission Decision 2001/546/EC. The Forum comprises 34 members, including five from the UK. These were selected by a Commission process set out in Commission Decision 2001/C 205–06. The Forum has not yet met. When it does it will establish a programme of work that will, no doubt, include issues from the Commission White Paper on Transport and the Commission Green Paper on Energy Security. No costs to UK public funds arise from the Forum. More details are available on the EU website "http://europa.eu i nt/com m/energy"-transport/en/forum en.html
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Consumer Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [61699]
§ Ms HewittThe Consumer Committee was established by the European Commission in its "Decision (2000/323/EC)" of 4 May 2000. The Committee's mandate is to
133Wconstitute a forum for general discussions on problems relating to consumer interests.give opinions on Community matters affecting the protection of consumer interests.
advise and guide the Commission when it outlines policies and activities having an effect on consumers.inform the Commission of developments in consumer policy in the member states.act as a source of information and soundboard on Community action for the other national organizations.The Committee meets on average four times a year in Brussels.
The Committee is composed of 20 member members and 20 alternates appointed by the Commission for a 3-year (renewable) mandate (1 per member state plus five representatives from the European consumer associations: AEC, ANEC, BEUC, COFACE, EURO COOP).
The secretariat and the presidency of the Committee are held by the European Commission. There is no cost to the UK public funds.
The items for consideration in the Committee are based on the requests for opinion made prior to each meeting by the Commission.
The minutes of meetings and Committee Opinions are published on the European Commission website.