The first meeting of a committee of United Kingdom ministers has taken place in Edinburgh.

The joint ministerial committee on the knowledge economy includes Chancellor Gordon Brown, Scotland's First Minister Donald Dewar and Scottish Secretary John Reid.

They were joined by the Scottish Executive's deputy enterprise and lifelong learning minister Nicol Stephen, and Department of Trade and Industry minister Patricia Hewitt.

Ministers from Wales pulled out of the meeting because of the political crisis over the resignation of the Welsh Assembly's First Secretary Alun Michael.

Joint action

Two ministers from Northern Ireland attended despite the suspension of Ulster's fledgling government.

The first joint ministerial committee, which was on poverty and social inclusion, met in London in December last year.

The committees were set up to look at joint action between Westminster and the devolved administrations.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "It's an opportunity for ministers to discuss what's happening in each other's areas and exchange ideas and good practice."

Dr Reid said the constitutional arrangements of devolution had been sorted out and it was time to get down to the business of politics.

"This has been the most radical transformation of government in 300 years.

Executive 'in hock'

"What we need to concentrate on is delivering a better life, by both governments' efforts where appropriate, and specific government efforts where appropriate," he added.

Commenting on the establishment of the joint committees, Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said the Scottish Parliament must be free to develop its own "distinctive agenda".

He said: "The Scottish Executive are in hock to new Labour in London, which watches every move and tries to smother any independence of thought or action in Scotland.

"London Labour's latest tactic is to bind the Scottish Executive into Westminster's agenda, through joint ministerial committees."