Council of Ministers

HC Deb 07 December 1983 vol 50 c320

59. Mr. Fallon

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to attend the Council of Ministers of the European Communities.

Mr. Rifkind

My right hon. and learned Friend expects to attend the next Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on the 19 and 20 of December.

Mr. Fallon

In the light of recent events, will my hon. Friend consider the suggestion that primary responsibility for next year's farm prices should be transferred from the Agriculture Council to the Finance Council or the General Council?

Mr. Rifkind

My hon. Friend knows that our prime objectives include ensuring that there is a strict financial guideline in agriculture and that financial considerations should play a most important part in determining the totality of agriculture expenditure.