§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the president of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Members for Gateshead, East (Ms Quinn) and for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) of 24 November,Official Report, column 92, what was the voting record of member states on (a) the adoption of food additive common positions and (b) its common position on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres at the meeting of the European Community's Internal Market Council held on 11 November; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinOn food additives, the framework directive and sweeteners common positions were adopted unanimously at the Internal Market Council on 11 November. The common position on colours was adopted by qualified majority with Netherlands and Luxembourg voting against and Germany and Denmark abstaining.
The common position on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres was agreed unanimously.