§ Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the purpose of the international meeting of Ministers in Brussels on 22nd and 23rd November, at which he was represented.
§ Mr. CorfieldIn response to an invitation to the Government from the President of the Council of Ministers of the European Community, I attended a meeting in Brussels on 22nd and 23rd November of European Ministers responsible for technology. Nineteen countries were represented including all the present members of the Community and applicants for membership. The purpose of the meeting was to consider proposals for European co-operation in applied science and technology. The proposals, prepared by a working group of officials from the countries concerned, included programmes of work on a pilot computer communications network; on materials for gas turbines; on aspects of air and water pollution and on the processing of sewage. I signed agreements on behalf of the United Kingdom, initiating co-operative work in these fields.
The meeting also approved resolutions giving support in general terms for further work on the establishment of a European centre for research on reliable medium-range weather forecasts; on the establishment of a European information centre on computer software; and on a study of future European needs for intercity transport.