HL Deb 29 January 1975 vol 356 c482

The Statement referred to is as follows:

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

"At present four meetings of the Council of Ministers are proposed for February. Agriculture Ministers will meet on 10th-12th; Foreign Ministers on 10th-llth; Energy Ministers on 13th; and Finance Ministers on 17th.

"Agriculture Ministers will resume their consideration of Farm Prices for 1975–76 and other associated measures. They also expect to have before them the Commission's 'stock-taking' report on the CAP.

"At the Foreign Affairs Council, Ministers will be concerned with Budget renegotiation on the basis of the Commission Report on the details of the correcting mechanism. They are likely also to discuss the operating procedures for the Regional Development Fund; freedom of establishment and mutual recognition of qualifications for doctors; two proposed directives on pharmaceutical products and preparations for the Multilateral Trade Negotiations. They may also discuss the relationship between the EEC and the International Energy Agency and the preparations of oil consumer-producer dialogue. Foreign Ministers may also need to consider the preparations for the next Heads of Government meeting in Dublin in mid-March. Energy Ministers will continue their discussion of the general objectives for the different energy sectors.

"Finance Ministers will have their usual monthly discussion of the economic situation in the Community, and may consider a draft regulation on the European Monetary Co-operation."