§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Standing Committee on the approximation of the laws relating to construction products is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [66423]
§ Mr. McNultyI have been asked to reply.
The Standing Committee is due to meet on 10 and 11 September 2002. The United Kingdom delegation consists of officials of the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister and a representative from the construction industry. International negotiation is a reserved matter, and the Scottish Executive is not, and has not been, represented on the Standing Committee. However, officials consult regularly with their opposite numbers in the devolved administrations on relevant issues prior to such negotiation.