To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 197, if he will list the range of common foreign and security policy issues covered by the proposed extension of the remit of the Joint Consultative Committee; and what documents will be available to members of the Committee.[80179]

Under its revised remit, the Joint Consultative Committee will discuss, in the light of the Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties, the most effective means of realising a Common Foreign and Security Policy. It will examine the development of policy through the adoption of EU Common Strategies, Common Positions and Joint Actions, and the need for greater co-ordination and co-operation in European Defence, with particular reference to the relationship between the EU, NATO and the WEU. The Joint Consultative Committee will make proposals as appropriate.Documents are prepared as required for meetings of the Joint Consultative Committee.