HC Deb 02 April 1996 vol 275 cc87-9W
Mr. Garnier

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union. [24012]

Mr. David Davies

The answer is as follows:

SUBJECT: MONTHLY FORECAST OF BUSINESS FOR APRIL 1996

1. The following Councils are scheduled:

  • 12 April: Transport (informal)
  • 12 April: Ecofin (informal)
  • 13 April: Transport (informal)
  • 13 April: Ecofin (informal)
  • 13 April: Social Affairs (informal)
  • 18 April: Tourism
  • 22 April: Fisheries
  • 22 April: General Affairs Council
  • 23 April: General Affairs Council
  • 23 April: Consumer Affairs
  • 23 April: Culture (informal)
  • 24 April: Culture (informal)
  • 24 April: Telecom (informal)
  • 25 April: Telecom (informal)
  • 29 April: Agriculture
  • 30 April: Agriculture
2. The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

12/13 April: Transport Council (informal) —Need to complete infrastructure network as defined in Community documents and the respective legal and financial instruments —Means for transferring traffic from roads —Transport and the environment —Harmonisation of conditions for transport activities 12/13 April: Ecofin Council (informal) —Discussion of European Monetary Union: relationship between participating and non-participating countries; German proposals for a stability pact; technical and legal issues posed by the introduction of the euro —Discussion of economic situation in the EU: initiatives to deal with unemployment (Santer's confidence pact) —Taxation (discussions of Commission paper) 13 April: Social Affairs Council (informal) —Agenda not yet available. 18 April: Tourism Council

"A" Points — As advised by council secretariat "B" Points —1992 tourism action plan: evaluation report (debate) —Proposal for a council decision establishing a new tourism action plan (debate) (possible item) —Council resolution on Euro-Mediterranean co-operation in the field of tourism —Commission green paper on tourism (debate) 22 April: Fisheries Council

"A" Points —As advised by council secretariat "B" Points —Quota flexibility —Drift nets —Technical measures in the Mediterranean —Presentation of multi-annual guidance programme IV —Research — Aquaculture statistics —Third countries (possible item) —Fish fees (possible item) 22/23 April: General Affairs Council —Agenda not yet available 23 April: Consumer Affairs Council

"A" Points — As advised by council secretariat "B" Points —Proposal for directive on indication of prices of consumer products (political agreement) —Proposal for directive on injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests (orientation debate) —Commission action plan on consumer access to justice (presentation by Commission and exchange of views) —Council conclusions on priorities for consumer policy —Open debate on Commission communication on priorities for consumer policy —Proposal for directive on sale of goods and consumer guarantees (Commission presentation) —Proposal for directive on rate of charge of consumer credit (Commission presentation) 23/24 April: Culture Council (informal) —Agenda not yet available 24/25 April: Telecom Council (informal) —Agenda not yet available 29/30 April: Agriculture Council

"A" Points —As advised by council secretariat "B" Points —Reform of the fruit and vegetable regime —Price fixing —Bananas —Oilseeds for non-food uses (possible item) —Geographical designations —Plant health: solidarity and responsibility (possible item) —Veterinary and fish fees (possible item) —Pesticide maximum residence levels (possible item)