European Committee, 08 Oct 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, October 8, 2002

Official Report 246KB pdf

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Scottish Executive (Scrutiny)

The next item on the agenda is pre-Council and post-Council scrutiny. Colleagues will note that we have made a slight amendment to the report this time. We have put a table on the front of the document that makes it a little easier to understand.

Or less difficult.

We move to consider pre-Council agendas. On the general affairs and external council, the recommendation is to note the information. I have one comment to make and colleagues may have others. On page 8, there is mention of a common position on comitology. Since the committee has expressed a view on that in its governance inquiry, it would be appropriate for the committee to write to the minister asking that the committee's view on comitology be taken into account at the council meeting. Are we agreed that that is appropriate and that the information should be noted?

Members indicated agreement.

On the economic and financial affairs council, the recommendation is to note the information. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

We have had a wide-ranging discussion on agriculture and fisheries at today's meeting. I suggest therefore that we note and welcome the post-Council report on that.

Members indicated agreement.

On the justice and home affairs council, the recommendation is to note the information and copy the agenda to the justice committees for their information.

I would like to question some matters in the report. Page 15 mentions a proposal that there be a Council directive laying down minimum standards for reception of asylum seekers in member states. There is also reference to integration of third-country nationals. In both cases, the report says that they are reserved matters in which there is no Scottish Executive interest, which I find difficult to understand, because there are a considerable number of asylum seekers in Glasgow and mention has been made of the possibility of a reception centre in Scotland.

Although immigration and asylum seeking are reserved matters, it is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and the Parliament to provide asylum seekers with many support services, housing, health and education. People such as David Blunkett have recently suggested that asylum seekers' children should be educated separately in reception centres because they are, apparently, undermining other children's educational opportunities. However, that is completely contrary to the experience in Glasgow, where head teachers, education officials, many parents and those who are employed in schools say that the children have been a great asset. Perhaps we need to question whether the Scottish Executive is correct in declaring that it has no interest in those matters. I would have thought that, despite the fact that asylum seeking and immigration are reserved matters, we have a considerable interest in them.

You have outlined aspects of the implementation of asylum policy that would be matters for the Scottish Parliament. However, the recommendation is to copy the paper to the Justice 1 Committee. We could also ask for its comments. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

As far as post-Council meetings are concerned, the only report we have received is from a meeting of the agriculture and fisheries council. The recommendation is to note the information and copy it to the Rural Development Committee for its interest. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

The report touches in particular on transport of live animals. We have already discussed ferry transport of animals, which is an issue in the Highlands and Islands. Because there is a special Scottish interest in the matter, we should continue to keep an eye on it. It is good to see that the issue has been taken up by the UK delegation, which indicates that the system is working so far. Let us hope that the delegation can deliver.

The report also mentions genetically modified food and an action plan for organic food and farming, which the Transport and the Environment Committee would be interested in.

That is a good point. We could copy the report to the Transport and the Environment Committee as well. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.