HL Deb 30 April 1975 vol 359 cc1252-3
Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOE

My Lords, a Statement is being made in another place today about business to be taken in the EEC Council of Ministers during May. With the leave of the House, I will, as usual, arrange for the Statement to be made available in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the Statement referred to :

"With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I will make a Statement about business to be taken in the Council of Ministers of the European Community during May. The monthly forecast for May was deposited yesterday.

"At present three meetings of the Council of Ministers are proposed for May. Foreign Ministers will meet on 5; Finance Ministers on 20 and Agriculture Ministers on 26–27 May. Dates for Council meetings of Energy and Research and Development Ministers are still under consideration. It is not yet known whether they will take place in May.

"At the Foreign Affairs Council, Ministers will resume their consideration of a Commission report on negotiations with the Maghreb, and on raw materials in relation to developing countries. They are also likely to review prospects for an international conference on energy, and to have a first discussion on preparations for the next meeting of EEC Heads of Government. The President of the Council may report on his contacts with the Assembly over the classification of the supplementary budget for the Regional Development Fund.

"The agenda for the Finance Ministers Council has not been finalised; but Ministers are expected to discuss among other things, the economic situation in the Community and preparations for the June meeting of the IMF Interim Committee in Paris.

"Agricultural Ministers are likely to deal with sugar imports from ACP countries, the proposed revision of the basic wine regulation and various veterinary matters."