HL Deb 31 January 1980 vol 404 cc989-90
Lord DENHAM

My Lords, a Statement is being made in another place about the business to be taken during February in the European Economic Community Council of Ministers. With the leave of the House, I shall arrange, as usual, for this 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 the main business to be taken by Ministers of the European Community during February. The written forecast of business was deposited in the House on Monday, 28th January. At present three meetings of the Council Ministers are proposed for February. The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on the 4th and 5th and is expected to discuss an improved Commission mandate for the new co-operation agreement with Yugoslavia; revised proposals for the non-quota section of the Regional Development Fund; the problems caused by imports of certain United States synthetic textile products and the voluntary restraint of certain textile products from Greece during 1980. Ministers are also expected to consider Community relations with ASEAN in preparation for a March ministerial meeting and the signing of a co-operation agreement; a negotiating mandate for talks with Brazil on a new co-operation agreement and relations with Turkey preparatory to a Community-Turkey Association Council meeting to take place in the margins of the Council. A second meeting at ministerial level in the Portuguese accession negotiations will also be held in the margins of the Council. The Finance Council will meet on the 11th and is expected to discuss the financial implications of the Commission report on changes in the Common Agricultural Policy to help balance the markets and streamline expenditure. The Council is also likely to discuss ways of improving co-ordination of economic policy in the Community and there may be some discussion on ways in which Community expenditure in the United Kingdom could be increased. Ministers are also expected to exchange views on the economic situation in the Community especially in the light of recent oil price developments and have a preliminary discussion on the report prepared for the European Council on the problems that may be encountered and possible solutions in setting up a European Monetary Fund. The Agriculture Council will meet on the 18th and 19th and is expected to continue discussion of the report on changes in the Common Agricultural Policy and the common organisation of the markets in wine, potatoes and sheepmeat, including discussion of the French import controls. The Council is also expected to discuss access arrangements for New Zealand butter, post 1980; aspects of policy regarding agricultural structures and have a preliminary exchange of views on the CAP price proposals for 1980–81.