§ Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in theOfficial Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present 12 meetings of the Council are planned for November.
453WThe Civil Protection Council meets on 4 November to discuss the exchange of data; glossary of technical terms; a common emergency telephone number; civil protection symbol; use of telecommunications; and a public information campaign.
The Economic and Finance Council will meet on 7 November to consider the economic situation in the Community; the draft directive on the own funds of credit institutions; the Commission's proposal for financing major Community infrastructure projects; and regulation 2892/77 concerning the collection of VAT own resources. The agenda may also include the provision of assistance to the earthquake-stricken area of Kalamata, Greece.
The Energy Council will meet on 8 November and will consider progress on the Commission's paper on completing the internal market in energy. It will re-examine the Commission's review of member states' energy policies in the context of the Community's energy objectives agreed until 1995, and discuss again the recommendation on co-operation between major electricity utilities and private generators based on renewable energy sources, waste energy, and combined heat and power. The Council will also discuss for the first time a set of recommendations on the Community refining industry. A report on the application of Community rules for state aid to the coal industry in 1987 and an action programme for improving the efficiency of the use of electricity will complete the agenda.
The Agriculture Council meets on 14–15 November to discuss the agricultural negotiations in the GATT Uruguay round; income aids; amendment of milk quota rules for certain producers; reform of the sheep and beef regimes; and definition of spirit drinks. It may also discuss other proposals in the internal market programme.
The Research Council meets on 17 November. Discussions will include aeronautical research and development, a communication on space; a plan to allow access to large-scale scientific facilities by European scientists; and a number of research projects, namely ECLAIR (agro-industrial research); JOULE (non-nuclear energy and efficient use of energy); SPES (stimulation plan for economic science); and BRITE/EURAM (research in the manufacturing technology and advanced materials fields).
The Internal Market/Consumer Council on 18 November will discuss a number of measures relevant to the completion of the single market.
The Foreign Affairs Council meets on 21–22 November. There will be discussion of the 1989 generalised system of preferences; the GATT Uruguay round Mid-term meeting of 4–7 December; a Commission report on social and economic cohesion in the context of co-operation between the Community and EFTA; the renegotiation of annual bilateral steel import agreements; and a Commission report of the Community's textile industry; and preparation for the EC/Cyprus Association Council.
The Budget Council is due to meet on 22 November to discuss the European Parliament's amendments and modifications to the 1989 draft budget and possibly the Commission's proposed amending letter to the 1989 budget.
The Education Council of 23 November will resume discussion of the COMETT and ERASMUS programme (tertiary education); and consider the basis for co-operation at Community level in certain areas of primary and secondary school education.
454WThe Development Council meets on 23 November to adopt conclusions on food security in sub-Saharan Africa; annual guidelines for the Asia and Latin America aid programme; progress in the renegotiation of the Lomé convention; and the relationship between project aid and fast disbursing aid in support of economic adjustment.
The Environment Council will meet on 24 November. Discussion will cover the protection of habitats for endangered species; a resolution to sustain developments in the environment; export of waste; municipal waste incineration; three draft directives in the field of biotechnology; titanium oxide waste; and emissions from small cars.
The Fisheries Council meets on 28 November to discuss guide prices for 1989; and relations with third countries.