European Parliament
President.
Question No 4 by Malcolm Harbour 
Subject: Competitiveness in the EU
The European Council Conclusions of 21 March 2003 called for the Competitiveness Council 'to be effectively consulted within the Council's decision-making processes on proposals considered likely to have substantial effects on competitiveness'. On how many proposals has the Competitiveness Council been consulted, and what action has been taken as a result? With further reference to the European Council Conclusions, what practical steps has the Council taken to ensure that the Competitiveness Council may 'actively assume its horizontal role of enhancing competitiveness and growth as part of an integrated strategy for competitiveness to be developed by the Commission'? How are Council formations 'assessing the impact of the work field' in competitiveness?

