Minister of State for Europe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Minister of State for Europe is an executive position in the Government of the United Kingdom, in charge of affairs with the European Union. The office was formerly a junior Minister of State position in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. However, when Denis MacShane was replaced by Douglas Alexander after the 2005 General Election, Alexander was given a special provision to attend Cabinet meetings. Similar cabinet privileges were given to the Minister of State for Trade and the Minister of State for Communities and Local Government (the latter of which has been uprated to a full Secretary of State position in the Cabinet).

The current incumbent is Geoff Hoon, who retains Cabinet privileges.

[edit] List of Ministers of State for Europe

• Joyce Quin (1998-07-28 to 1999-07-28)
• Keith Vaz (1999-10-11 to 2001-06-11)
• Peter Hain (2001-06-11 to 2002-10-24)
• Denis MacShane (2002-10-28 to 2005-05-11)
• Douglas Alexander (2005-05-16 to 2006-05-08)
• Geoff Hoon (since 2006-05-08)

[edit] See also

• Minister of State (with special responsibility for European Affairs): the counterpart in the Republic of Ireland