HL Deb 20 March 1978 vol 389 cc1567-8
Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, a Statement is being made today in another place about business to be taken during April 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 by Ministers of the European Community during April. The monthly written forecast was deposited on Thursday, 16th March.

"At present six meetings of the Council of Ministers are proposed for April. Finance and Foreign Ministers will meet jointly on the 3rd, Agriculture Ministers on the 3rd and 4th and also on the 24th and 25th, Foreign Ministers on the 4th, Finance Ministers on the 17th and Development Ministers on the 25th. Heads of State and Government will also attend a European Council meeting in Copenhagen on the 7th and 8th.

"Finance and Foreign Ministers are expected to discuss the Commission's assessment of budgetary problems.

"Agriculture Ministers are expected to resume their discussions on CAP prices for 1978–79 and Mediterranean agriculture. They are also expected to consider agrimonetary matters, proposals for Milk Marketing Boards, producer groups, market arrangements for mutton and lamb, and external fisheries questions.

"Foreign Ministers are expected to discuss preparations for the European Council meeting, direct elections to the European Assembly, Japan, the European Foundation, Greek accession, steel imports, staff regulations and GATT multilateral trade negotiations. Foreign Ministers will also meet in the margins of the Council for a discussion on political co-operation.

"Finance Ministers are expected to review progress in insurance co-ordination since March 1977.

"Development Ministers are expected to discuss aid to non-associates, reciprocal implications of development co-ordination policy and other policies, and the volume and distribution of aid. They may also consider the legal basis of food aid".