HL Deb 27 June 1996 vol 573 cc65-6WA
The Earl of Clanwilliam

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will detail the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

Subject: Monthly Forecast of Business for July 1996

  1. 1. The following Councils are scheduled:
    • 8th July: ECOFIN
    • 10th July: Social Welfare (Informal)
    • 11th July: Social Welfare (Informal)
    • 11th July: Labour Affairs (Informal)
    • 12th July: Labour Affairs (Informal)
    • 15th July: General Affairs Council
    • 16th July: General Affairs Council
    • 19th July: Environment (Informal)
    • 20th July: Environment (Informal)
    • 22nd July: Agriculture
    • 23rd July: Agriculture
    • 25th July: Budget
  2. 2. The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
    • 8th July: ECOFIN Council
    • Approval of the provisional agenda
    • Approval of the list of "A" items
    • Presentation of the Irish Presidency's ECOFIN programme: open debate
    • Follow up to the Florence European Council Examination of the Austrian convergence programme
    • Excessive government deficit procedure: recommendations (a vote may be requested on this item)
    • ELISE (possible item)
    • New guarantee system for EIB lending to third countries (possible item)
    • Preparation of structured dialogue with the CEECS SEM 2000 interim report by the Commission
    • Fight against fraud: Commission's annual report 1995
    • Other business

ECOFIN will be followed by a meeting with CEES at 4.00 pm, and an informal dinner for CEEC Finance Ministers at 7.00 pm, hosted by the Presidency.

10th/11th July: Social Welfare Council (Informal)

  • Long-term unemployment

11th/12th July: Labour Affairs Council (Informal)

  • Long-term unemployment

15th/16th July: General Affairs Council

  • Agenda not yet available

19th/20th July: Environment Council (Informal)

  • Agenda not yet available

22nd/23rd July: Agriculture Council

  • Set-aside rate for 1997–98
  • Arable base area flexibility
  • Price fixing (possible item)
  • Reform of the fruit and vegetable regime (possible item)
  • Bananas (possible item)
  • Plant health: solidarity and responsibility (possible item)
  • BSE (possible item)

25th July: Budget Council

  • 1997 preliminary draft budget