European and External Relations Committee, 21 Jun 2005

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Official Report 200KB pdf

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Convener's Report

Agenda item 5 is the convener's report, under which I have two matters to deal with. The first concerns a letter that I have received from Irene Oldfather in relation to a proposal to host a meeting and seminar in the Scottish Parliament by the commission for economic and social policy of the Committee of the Regions, with which Irene Oldfather is involved, as members know. I understand that the letter has also gone to the Enterprise and Culture Committee, and that that committee is supportive of the bid.

The Enterprise and Culture Committee has not expressed a view as a whole.

My apologies.

It seems a good idea.

I believe that the proposal needs to be sanctioned by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, but I think that we are quite happy to associate ourselves with it.

It seems eminently sensible. We should recommend that it goes ahead.

We will do so.

The second matter relates to correspondence between myself and the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, Mr McCabe. Previously, there was some correspondence about the proposed European Union bill. As members will have realised, and as is confirmed in a letter from the minister, no progress will be made on the EU bill until such time as progress is made on the wider issues. As I indicated to members a fortnight ago, I invited Mr McCabe to appear before the committee to give us an update on the European situation, but, due to diary pressures, he was unable to accommodate us. That will have to wait until after the summer recess. By then, I am sure that we will have a date for a discussion with the Minister of State for Europe in Her Majesty's Government, Douglas Alexander, who has expressed a willingness to come to the Parliament. By that stage, we might be clearer about the implications of the weekend's events.

We received, via an e-mail from the clerks, the "Declaration by the heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union on the ratification of the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe". That indicates, in essence, that the thing has been put on hold for a year to allow for discussion within member states on how to proceed. At some point—perhaps at our away day—could we discuss how the committee can help to engage Scotland in the process of wider discussion?

That comment is helpful and we will want to discuss the issue with the minister, because it is relevant to his responsibilities. We will hear from the minister after the summer recess, but we can certainly consider the issue at our away day.

I will try my luck here. If Mr McCabe had been able to see us any time soon, I imagine that several colleagues on the committee would have wanted to ask about the extraordinary story about the competition for the supply of fishery protection vessels. It is obvious that that has European ramifications. It seems very strange that the European Commission has concerns about the Polish bid. The UK Government also has concerns about it, but it seems that the Scottish Executive, which is purchasing the vessels for Scottish public service, intends to proceed. I do not know if there is any way for the committee to raise this particular Scottish interest, not least because of what the constituency MSP said on the subject.

It is certainly a legitimate issue for us to raise with Mr McCabe, so I am quite happy to entertain a discussion on that point.

It is rather urgent; perhaps a letter would be appropriate.

I am happy to express a committee view in line with what John Home Robertson said about the concerns of the Commission and the UK Government. We could encourage the Executive to share those concerns and to take the necessary action to award a contract. Does that sound agreeable?

Members indicated agreement.

Okay. I will send the letter today.

That concludes the convener's report. This was our final meeting before the summer recess.

Tonight is the drinks evening.

I am glad that you have taken such trouble to put that in the Official Report, Mr Jackson.

Although we will be in recess, the clerks have arranged an away day for 1 September, in the Parliament, at which we can discuss our forward work programme. I hope that members will be able to make that event. I wish members an enjoyable recess.

Meeting closed at 15:22.