HL Deb 30 November 1976 vol 378 cc134-5
Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, a Statement was made yesterday in another place about business to be taken during December in the EEC Council of Ministers. 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 December. At present seven meetings of the Council of Ministers are proposed for December. At the Social Affairs Council on the 9th December Ministers will consider Commission proposals on vocational preparation for young people and revised proposals on the education of migrant workers' children. They are also likely to consider to increase safety at work, a Commission communication on the humanisation of working conditions, the draft Directive on acquired rights, a common system for payment of family benefits and the fourth report on the activities of the new European Social Fund. Ministers at the Environment Council on the 9th will consider the Second Environment Action Programme. They may also discuss Directives on biological standards and screening the population for lead and pollution from the titanium dioxide and paper pulp industries, draft decisions on Community participation in the Rhine and Barcelona Conventions and a draft directive on the quality of drinking water. At the Foreign Affairs Council on the 13th and 14th Ministers will discuss the follow up to the European Council on the 29th and 30th November. They are also likely to consider relations with Iran and Portugal, and preparations for accession negotiations with Greece; the Community's relations with Turkey and Passport Union. Both the Foreign Affairs Council on the 13th and 14th December and the joint meeting with Agriculture Ministers on the 14th December are likely to discuss the External and Internal aspects of the Common Fisheries Policy. Agriculture Ministers on the 14th and 20th and 21st will consider the Commission's proposals for revised green rate and MCA arrangements, proposed hops and interim sheepmeat régimes, beef import arrangements and measures for improving agricultural structures and marketing. They will also resume consideration of proposals for achieving a better balance between supply and demand in the milk sector. At the Fiscal Council Ministers on the 16th will discuss the draft Sixth Directive on the harmonisation of value added tax. Ministers at the Transport Council on the 16th may consider roadworthiness tests and a progress report on the draft Third Social Regulation. The Commission may introduce new proposals on lorry weights and dimensions. Finance Ministers on the 20th will consider a report from the Monetary Committee on Dr. Duisenberg's proposals for co-ordination and co-operation by Member States in their exchange rate policies. They are also expected to discuss export credit policy. The fourth medium-term economic policy programme will also be on their agenda. At the meeting of the Standing Employment Committee on the 13th, Ministers will consider the problems of youth unemployment.