§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Competitiveness Council held on 10 and 11 November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [138785]
§ Jacqui SmithI represented the UK at the Competitiveness Council, Brussels on 10 November 2003. Andy Kerr MSP was also present.
There was an initial exchange of views over the proposed Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices.
The Council reached General Agreement on the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. This is designed to guarantee free movement of electrical equipment within the Internal Market, whilst ensuring that such equipment does not create unacceptable levels of electromagnetic disturbance.
The Council adopted a Resolution on the application of New Approach Directives.
The Commission presented its new proposal for a Chemicals Regulation, stressing its importance for European industry. There were differing views of the impact on downstream users, and the Commission stated that it would like to discuss this, and the question of impact assessment at a public meeting on 23 November.
The Presidency said that this was a priority issue in the Competitiveness Council agenda. There will be a policy debate at the next meeting on 26 and 27 November 2003. I asked for environmental and industrial interests to work together, and called for more effective prioritisation and simplification of the registration procedure, with one substance and one registration.
There was a discussion on Competitiveness Policy. The Commission recognised the need for its proposals to take competitiveness aspects properly into account. The Council and European Parliament would be able to see improvements in the extended impact procedure in the 2004 work programme.
509WI supported the idea of a competitiveness test and called for a better regulation 'expert' working group to be established as soon as possible to help assess the quality of impact assessments.
The Presidency concluded that the Competitiveness Council needed to work with other Council formations to ensure they took competitiveness into account in their work.
The Presidency asked for views on the Growth Initiative in the light of the October European Council's conclusions.
Several of the projects are in the field of Research and Development. Key areas were nanotechnology, space and high speed networks for research bodies. I stated that I wanted to see clear criteria for projects based upon project readiness and EU added value. I also confirmed that UK preferences were close to those of the Commission.
The Presidency concluded that the Council should agree a new list of priority projects on 27 November, for presentation to the December European Council.
The Council agreed a Resolution on Researchers' Careers.
There was a discussion over lunch on the EU candidate site for ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor).