To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on (a) democratic accountability of European institutions and (b) financial efficiency of European institutions in the last two years. (280745)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular contact with his EU counterparts on a variety of issues.

The Lisbon treaty will improve the democratic accountability of the EU Institutions by giving national Parliaments a direct say in EU law making for the first time.

In the context of annual Budget negotiations and the discharge process it is the Government’s priority to bear down on administration costs and promote sound financial management in EU institutions.