HC Deb 22 July 1981 vol 9 cc312-3
35. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Lord Privy Seal what Ministerial Council meetings of the European Economic Community are planned over the next three months.

Sir Ian Gilmour

I shall arrange for the information to be published in the Official Report.

Mr. Osborn

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there has been a deputation from the Sheffield city council to the Department of Industry today to express its concern about the level of EEC grants to Sheffield and to South Yorkshire? Will he also bear in mind the concern about the level of steel imports and about the cost of energy to the steel industry in Sheffield? Will the Ministers of Industry and Energy be meeting in the next three months to discuss these issues?

Sir Ian Gilmour

I shall certainly give my hon. Friend the answer to the first two parts of his question. The House is aware of the difficulties that industries such as steel are under because of international energy prices. My hon. Friend will know that the Chancellor made possible some relief in the Budget, and subsequent action has been taken. I shall bring my hon. Friend's question to the attention of my right hon. and learned Friend.

Mr. MacNamara

When shall we have a meeting of the Fishery Ministers at the Ministerial Council? Is it hoped that some sort of agreement will be reached which will allow a deep-sea and middle-water British fleet rather than just an inshore fleet? Or are we to wait until those fleets completely disappear and the French take over all our waters?

Sir Ian Gilmour

No, there is no question of that. Certainly there will be a Fisheries Council in September, and we hope that progress will be made. But, as the hon. Gentleman will be aware, as a result of the change of Government in France there has necessarily been some delay.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the problems of the Middle East will be a priority on the list of matters to be discussed at a future Council meeting? Does he agree that Jordan will inevitably play a vital part in any settlement of the Middle East problem and that the present interpretation by Israel of the autonomy of the occupied territories and the expansion of the settlements in those occupied territories does not help Jordan, which is keen on peace, to participate fully in what is a vital initiative for the peace of the world, let alone the peace of the Middle East?

Sir Ian Gilmour

Certainly the Middle East will figure largely at future Foreign Ministers Council meetings. I agree with my hon. Friend that obviously Jordan will play an important part. As my hon. Friend knows, we have made plain our views on Israeli settlements. We regard them as illegal and as obstacles to peace.

Mr. Donald Stewart

What is the point of further discussions on fisheries when German trawlers, with the full approval of the German Government, are fishing in British waters banned to our own fishermen? What urgent action are the Government taking?

Sir Ian Gilmour

That is not going on now. It did happen, the boats were arrested, and the catch confiscated.

Following is the information: Between now and 22 October the Council will, on present plans, meet in various formations on the following dates:
  1. (a) the General Affairs Council (Foreign Ministers) will meet on 14–15 September;
  2. (b) the Agriculture Council will meet on 28 September and on 19–20 October;
  3. (c) the Fisheries Council will meet on 29, and possibly 30 September;
  4. (d) the Budget Council wilt meet on 23 July;
  5. (e) the ECOFIN Council (Ministers of Finance and Economic Affairs) will meet on 17 September and on 19 October;
  6. (f) the Energy Council will meet on 22 September;
  7. (g) the Environment Council will meet on 29 September.
In addition there will be a number of informal meetings of European Community Ministers during this period: Foreign Ministers on 5–6 September; Agriculture Ministers on 5–7 October; and Employment Ministers on 24–25 September. Foreign Ministers of the Ten will meet in political co-operation on 13 October.