European Committee, 19 Nov 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 19, 2002

Official Report 100KB pdf

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Convener's Report

Item 3 is the convener's report. Following the meeting with our colleagues in Flanders and Catalonia, committee members want me to thank the clerks for all the effort that went into the two days. Members who were able to attend the meeting and the lunch will agree that they were useful. In particular, I was pleased that we formally established the network and also that we agreed its future steps.

In the immediate term, we will consider the possibility of a joint agreement and position paper on the future of Europe. Members will recall that the draft agreement mentions a timetable of January 2003. In the longer term, we would like to share good practice on parliamentary procedures and so on. It was agreed that once we have deepened our relationship, we will include other regions of the European Union. We have taken a positive initiative and we welcome the support of our colleagues in Flanders and Catalonia.

Do other members wish to comment?

It was regrettable that the media did not pick up on the meeting. It was such an historic occasion, but there was no coverage from Scotland's media, despite the best efforts of the convener and the clerks. The clerks deserve commendation for all their work. The meeting represents a major step forward, but I share your frustrations about the media.

The next item is to note the monthly report by the chief executive and the external liaison unit. Is that agreed?

It would be helpful if acronyms were not used in reports. It is fine if one knows what they mean, but not if one does not.

I will ask the clerks to chase that up with the chief executive.

Might the clerks make particular reference to the BIIPB? The chief executive might know what that means.

We will request that future reports record the full title of any groups or organisations.

I think that BIIPB stands for British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body.

It could be.

However, it might mean something else altogether.

Okay, in future, we will ensure that full titles are used.

The next item is a request to attend a conference on the future of Europe, organised by the central local partnership and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Members will recall that we raised the question at a previous committee meeting, at which point we had not been invited. Now we have been invited. The conference is on 28 November. I understand that there are difficulties with travel on that day, including possible strikes at airports. If the committee agrees, I will attend the conference on behalf of the committee, subject to being able to make suitable travel arrangements. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.