Lord Russell-Johnston asked Her Majesty's Government:

How often, since the election of 1997, they have been represented in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe by the Foreign Secretary; how often by junior Ministers; and how often unrepresented.[HL2650]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The UK has not been represented by the Foreign Secretary at a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers since the 1997 election. Over the same period the UK has been represented by a junior Minister at such meetings once, at the May 1999 meeting in Budapest, by the then Home Office Minister Lord Williams of Mostyn. At the other six such meetings since 1997 the UK has been unable to be represented by a Minister. The Prime Minister and Mr Lloyd, the then FCO Minister of State, attended the Council of Europe's Second Summit in autumn 1997.

Joint Entry Clearance Unit

Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majety's Government:

Whether they will provide further information about the Joint Entry Clearance Unit. [HL2717]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: As my honourable friend the Minister of State for Europe said in another place on 20 March 2000 (Official Report, cols. 833–836), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Joint Entry Clearance unit (the JECU). Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. This week the JECU has moved to its new offices at 89 Albert Embankment. By bringing together Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office expertise in a single unit, it will provide a better co-ordinated and more effective service to entry clearance applicants. More information about the new unit, including contact numbers within it, will be circulated to noble Lords.