§ Mr. Bodyasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the date fixed for the Secretary of State for the Environment to attend the Council of Ministers is 28th March, which is the same date when he is first to answer Questions in the House; and whether he will make it the practice of his Administration that Ministers do not attend the Council of Ministers when they are top of the list for Questions.
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware that there may be a problem on this date when my right hon. and learned Friend 319W hopes to attend a meeting of the environment Ministers of the member countries of the Council of Europe, not the Council of Ministers of the EEC. Conflicts of this sort can arise with European engagements as with any other engagement, but arrangements have been made to ensure, as far as possible, that Ministers who most regularly attend meetings of the EEC Council of Ministers are not top of the list for Questions on the days of such meetings.