§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the development of the open method of coordination in the European Union. [42714]
§ Peter HainThe Government see the open method of co-ordination as a useful element in the 'toolbox' of instruments for implementation of policy, to be applied on a case-by-case basis.
In areas where there is little scope for legislative solutions, it can add value at a European level in the form of co-operation, benchmarking and the exchange of best practice. In others the open method may complement a programme-based and legislative approach.