§ Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Education Council held of 23 October 1995. [40115]
§ Mr. ForthOn 23 October, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire) attended the Council of EC Education Ministers. The Council adopted a decision allowing the conclusion of a bilateral agreement in higher education and vocational training with the United States. The Council and the representatives of the Governments of the member states adopted a resolution on the response of education systems to the problems of racism and xenophobia and the Council also agreed conclusions on social participation as a factor for quality in non-university education.
Political agreement was reached on a bilateral agreement in higher education and vocational training with Canada which will be taken as an "A" point at a future Council.
Ministers received information from the European Commission on the European Year of Lifelong Learning; multimedia education software; and the forthcoming Commission White Paper on education and training. The presidency reported on preparations for the Euro-Med conference to be held in Barcelona on 27–28 November.
After the conclusion of Council business, a meeting was held with Education Ministers of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe to discuss prospects for their eventual participation in EC education, training and youth exchange programmes.