European Committee, 28 Nov 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 28, 2000

Official Report 107KB pdf

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Convener's Report

The next item on our agenda is the convener's report. Three recommendations have been circulated. The first relates to arrangements for the visit to the committee by the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs. The clerks have been in touch with the minister's officials and an appointment has been made in his diary for 2 o'clock on 12 December. Before the meeting we will try to produce an issues paper. At the moment, I ask members simply to note the arrangements that have been made. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

The second recommendation relates to the use of powers under section 57 of the Scotland Act 1998. Members will recall that we wrote to the minister asking to be notified formally of activities that involve the use of those powers. We have received what I regard as a positive reply from the Executive. I ask members to note the contents of the letter and to agree that the clerk to the committee should discuss the issue with Executive officials and produce a paper for our consideration, indicating suggested solutions. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

The third recommendation relates to the forthcoming fisheries council meeting. As members will recall, we decided to invite Rhona Brankin to appear before the committee to discuss that. At that point, we were unaware that a parliamentary debate on the fisheries council had been scheduled for 7 December. After discussion with the deputy convener, I decided that the committee should rescind its invitation to the minister. We feel that there is an opportunity for a wider debate in Parliament on 7 December, at which the same points could be made. However, it is important to establish the principle that the committee reserves the right, where appropriate, to have ministers appear before it ahead of council meetings.

I do not know how we can do this, but we need to find out about forthcoming business, although given that sometimes it is decided only a fortnight in advance, that might cause the clerks some problems. Do members accept the recommendation?

Members indicated agreement.