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Committee corresponds with Brexit Minister on UK participation in EU meetings

10 September 2019

Lord Callanan, Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, has responded to the Committee's questions on the Government's decision only to attend EU meetings where the UK has a significant national interest in the outcome of decisions.

Background

The EU Committee wrote to the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on 4 September 2019 seeking clarification on the  rationale behind the Government's decision only to attend EU meetings where the UK has a significant national interest in the outcome of decisions.

The Committee also sought clarification on a number of questions, including:

  • The Government's definition of an EU meeting
  • Whether the decision extends to the participation of arm's length bodies such as Ofcom
  • Whether the Government's definition of the areas in which the UK has a significant national interest is exhaustive

The Committee further asked to be informed on a weekly basis of the forthcoming visits the Government will or will not be participating in, and requested that the Government continue to deposit Explanatory Memoranda on EU documents.

The Secretary of State responded to the Committee's questions in a letter dated September 2019.

Further information

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