European and External Relations Committee, 08 Jun 2004

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 8, 2004

Official Report 87KB pdf

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Sift

Agenda item 2 is consideration of the sift documents. I invite comments from members.

Document 1152 appears to be simply a communication on self-promotion of the EU. I would like to know whether there is a budget for that and what the budget is. The communication is entirely about advertising all the good aspects of the EU. I can see no other purpose to it, although it may be a fairly sparse document.

We can seek the information that Phil Gallie requests.

I am very glad that Phil Gallie has drawn attention to this document. It is admirable that the EU, in the midst of all its other tasks and despite its burden of work, is seeking to deepen understanding throughout Europe of the structure, tasks and achievements of the EU.

That is a huge challenge. I would be happy to find out more information about it.

My question is about the cost.

We will find out about the cost.

I refer to document 1144, the white paper on services of general interest. The convener will recall that I have highlighted several times in committee the importance of that document to Scotland. I notice that a UK Government explanatory memorandum is available. We should request and examine that.

We will certainly do so.

As members have no further comments on the sift paper, I bring the public part of the meeting to a close. We move into private session to discuss, hopefully for the final time, the report on our inquiry into the future of regional development funding in Scotland.

Meeting continued in private until 16:05.