HC Deb 17 November 1977 vol 939 cc305-6W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why no meetings of the EEC Council of Ministers are held to discuss industrial or regional policy; and whether he will seek to initiate any such meetings.

Mr. Alan Williams

The Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) is competent to deal with all questions as required, including industrial and regional policy matters. The Council is expected to consider steel on 21st November and regional policy on 19th-20th December.

So far there have not been a sufficient number of industrial or regional policy matters requiring Council decisions to justify calling a special Council meeting attended by Industry or Regional Ministers, but the official Regional Policy Committee meets regularly.