§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the European Constitution on her Department"s responsibilities; [128176]
(2) what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the establishment of an EU Foreign Minister on the representation of her Department in international fora. [128177]
§ Mr. BradshawThe new European Constitution is not expected to have any direct effect on this Department's responsibilities nor on its role representing the UK Government in international fora. The draft of the new Treaty prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe for discussion at the Inter Governmental Conference this autumn retains the key provisions of the current treaties relating to the environment, agriculture and fisheries.
The UK is however opposed to the proposal to establish a Single Legislative Council. This would weaken the direct involvement of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers in policy formation as well as in negotiating legislation.