§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the subjects discussed at the meeting of EEC Executive Commission officials, oil company representtatives and oil experts from EEC member countries in Brussels on 2nd November 1973.
§ Lord BalnielI am not aware of any such discussions having taken place.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether the possibility of EEC member countries sharing some of their oil supplies, to help those suffering severe shortages because of the present cut-off of supplies by Arab countries, has been discussed by the Executive Commission or the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EEC;
(2) whether Her Majesty's Government will raise with the Executive Commission or the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EEC the possibility of sharing oil supplies so as to help any member country suffering severe shortage during the present restriction of supply by certain Arab countries;
225W(3) what requests have been made by the Executive Commission of the EEC to member Governments regarding the possibility of sharing oil supplies while restrictions on these supplies are being imposed by Arab Governments on certain European countries such as Holland.
§ Lord BalnielThe Council of Ministers discussed the energy situation on 6th November and decided to keep matters under review. I have nothing to add to that.
Neither the EEC Commision nor any Community Government have proposed oil sharing arrangements under EEC auspices.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the subjects for consideration by the Executive Commission of the EEC at its meeting on Wednesday 31st October 1973.
§ Mr. John DaviesIt is not the Commission's practice to publish the agenda of its meetings.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at the request of which member country of the EEC the meeting of the Executive Commission was called on 31st October.
§ Mr. John DaviesUnder the Community treaties the Commission is an autonomous institution, and it is not for member States to request that it hold meetings. The normal practice of the Commission is to hold a regular weekly meeting; this was one of them.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government made any representations to the 226W Executive Commission of the EEC for its meeting on 31st October; and if he will publish these in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. John DaviesNo. But there is regular contact at all times between Ministers and officials of Her Majesty's Government and members and officials of the European Commission on all matters of mutual interest.