§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the role is of the division in his Department responsible for European and international business; if he will list the responsibilities of the posts within the division; and if he will make a statement. [70654]
§ Mr. JamiesonWithin the Department for Transport, the Europe and International Division (EID) leads on European and international issues. EID is responsible for providing advice on the impact of EU affairs on DfT's policies as a whole; planning, preparation and support for the Minister for Transport at EU Transport Council; policy on EU horizontal or cross-cutting issues; and is a focal point for cross-cutting international issues.
EID comprises a divisional manager and three branch heads responsible for particular areas. The head of Europe and International Branch, supported by five staff, provides advice and guidance to DfT on EU and international issues and developments, including EU enlargement; co-ordinates briefing and arrangements for ministerial committees, EU contacts, bilateral initiatives and visitors from overseas; and develops and promotes European awareness and expertise among DfT officials who deal with EU issues.
The head of Transport Council Branch, supported by six staff, co-ordinates the UK position and briefing on EU Transport Council business; co-ordinates UK parliamentary scrutiny of EC transport legislation; monitors the transposition of EC transport directives; co-ordinates the response to infraction proceedings; co-ordinates transport briefing for UK MEPs and co-ordinates the Department's interest in the European Conference of Ministers of Transport and the Inland Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
456WThe head of European Transport Policy Branch, supported by six staff, co-ordinates policy on EU cross-modal transport issues including the proposed extension of the working time directive to mobile workers in road transport, proposed regulations on land transport public service requirements, the EU Common Transport Policy, the integration of the environment into EU transport policy, charging for the use of transport infrastructure and also co-ordinates policy and negotiates UK funding in respect of the transport trans-European Network (TEN).
Further information on the work of Europe and International Division can be found on the Department's website at www.dft.gov.uk/europe/index.htm.