To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the consultation procedures he proposes in order to establish the proper means of representation for the United Kingdom on the committee of the regions.

We are considering the arrangements for appointing the United Kingdom members to the committee, which will be convened only after the treaty on political union enters into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom has signed the protocol on the committee of the regions annexed to the Maastricht treaty under article 198(a)-(c).

Yes. This protocol forms in integral part of the European Community treaty and was therefore covered by the signatures of the treaty on European union by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.