§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the mandate of the EC-Malta Joint Research 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; [58400]
(2) what the mandate of the EC-Russia Joint Committee on scientific and technological co-operation 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; [58404]
(3) what the mandate of the EC-China RTD Co-operation Steering 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; [58402]
(4) what the mandate of the EC-Republic of South Africa Joint Committee on scientific and technological co-operation 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; [58406]
Country Mandate Meetings in last 12 months Argentina Managing the Agreement, including promoting and overseeing co-operative activities, identifying sectors for potential co-operation, and advising on ways to improve co-operation None—Agreement has only just entered into force Canada Details not retrievable without disproportionate cost One China Managing the Agreement, including promoting and overseeing co-operative activities, identifying for the following year priority sectors for potential co-operation, and advising on ways to improve co-operation One Cyprus Functions include reviewing, evaluating measures for co-operation under the EU 5th Framework Programme, and examining ways to improve and develop co-operation One India Managing the Agreement, including promoting and overseeing co-operative activities, identifying for the following year priority sectors for potential co-operation, recommending joint projects for sponsoring on a cost sharing basis, and advising on ways to improve co-operation None—Agreement has not yet entered into force Malta Functions include reviewing, evaluating measures for co-operation under the EU 5th Framework Programme, and examining ways to improve and develop co-operation None—a Committee has yet to be formed Russia Managing the Agreement, including promoting and overseeing co-operative activities, identifying sectors for potential co-operation, and advising on ways to enhance co-operation None—last meeting February 2001 South Africa Managing the Agreement, including promoting and reviewing co-operative activities, making recommendations for additional modalities of co-operation, and advising on ways to enhance co-operation One There is no UK representative on the Committees. The Agreements have no direct financial implications for the UK. Information is not available on items under discussion.
30W(5) what the mandate of the EC-India RTD Co-operation Steering 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; [58401]
(6) what the mandate of the EC-Canada Joint Committee on scientific and technological co-operation 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; [58405]
(7) what the mandate of the EC-Argentina RTD Co-operation Steering 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; [58403]
(8) what the mandate of the EC-Cyprus Joint Research 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. [58399]
§ Ms HewittDetails of the mandates and the number of meetings held in the last 12 months by the Joint Committees established under the EC's scientific and technological co-operation agreements with the Argentine Republic, Canada, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of India, the Republic of Malta, the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa are set out in the following table.
The Government welcomes the Agreements as their essential aim is to stimulate RTD co-operation between the European Communities and the Governments concerned and this increases the possibilities for the UK, 31W as a partner of first choice, to engage in collaborative research. The Agreements have been subject to Parliamentary Scrutiny procedures and the Government does not consider that further steps are needed to assure the accountability and transparency to Parliament of the Committees.