§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the Community action programme on pollution-related diseases in the framework of the action plan for public health is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [57478]
§ Ms BlearsThe European Union Committee for the implementation of the Community action programme on pollution-related diseases was mandated under Article 5 of Decision No 1296/1999/EC of the European Parliament and Council. The Committee assists the Commission in taking forward the programme by providing opinions on the work programme and research proposals submitted for funding under the programme.
The Committee met twice in the last year, on 12 September 2001 and on 23 January 2002. One United Kingdom official from the Department attended the September 2001 meeting.
Costs to public funds were minimal, meetings usually last one day, the Commission pay the travel costs of nominated representatives, UK Departments are required to pay subsistence and UK travel costs.
Details about the Committee, the programme and funded projects can be found on Europa, the EU on-line website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/index—en.html
Together with Member States, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EX, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".
As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Library on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final).
As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent action, to be accessible through its website.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the Community action plan to combat cancer is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [57481]
1440W
§ Ms BlearsI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 4 July,Official Report, column 570W.