HL Deb 27 October 1976 vol 376 cc429-30
Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOE

My Lords, a Statement is being made today in another place about the business to be taken in the EEC Council of Ministers during November. As usual, I will 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 the European Community during November. The monthly forecast for November was deposited yesterday.

"The Heads of Government of the Member States will meet in The Hague on the 29th and 30th of November. There is no formal agenda for these meetings, but I would fully expect that Fisheries will be discussed. We shall also ensure that EEC relations with Japan are discussed. We expect Heads of Government to consider the Tindemans Report, and the terms of reference for a review of the Commission which its new President is to be asked to undertake.

"At present 7 meetings of the Council of Ministers are proposed for November. Transport Ministers will meet on the 4th; Finance: Ministers on the 8th and 22nd: Development Ministers on the 8th; Foreign Ministers on the 15th and 16th; Agriculture Ministers on the 22nd and 23rd and Budget Ministers on the 23rd. There will also be a meeting of Education Ministers on the 29th of November.

"At the Transport Council, Ministers will be exchanging views on issues relating to maritime transport. They may also consider roadworthiness tests; a minimum level of training for road transport drivers; adjustments of national taxation systems in relation to commercial vehicles and a progress report on the draft third Social Regulation.

"Finance Ministers at the 8th of November Council will have their usual monthly discussions of the economic situation in the Community. They will also consider the Duisenberg proposals on exchange rate co-ordination and economic convergence.

"At the Finance Council on the 22nd of November, Ministers will consider the adoption of the annual report on the economic situation in the Community and of the fourth medium term economic policy programme.

"At the Development Council Ministers will discuss financial and technical aid by the Community to non-associated developing countries. They will also consider the harmonisation of development policies within the Community.

"Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council will continue their study of the Tindemans Report, and will consider progress of the work in the four Commissions and the overall negotiating objectives for the final phase of the Conference on International Economic Co-operation. Ministers will also discuss the internal and external aspects of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Generalised Preference Scheme for 1977, the uniform passport, and relations between the Community and the CMEA, Iran, Greece, Yugoslavia, Turkey and Israel. They will have before them a report on negotiations between the Community and the Mashraq countries.

"Agriculture Ministers will consider the Commission's proposal for reducing surpluses in the dairy sector. They are also expected to discuss proposals for a potatoes regime, measures for improving agricultural structure and marketing, the water content of frozen chickens, and Community animal health legislation.

"At the Budget Council Ministers will consider amendments and notifications proposed by the European Assembly to the draft 1977 Community budget.

"Education Ministers will consider the Education Committee's Report on the transition from school to working life".