HC Deb 20 April 1978 vol 948 cc348-9W
Mr. James Johnson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Finance Council meeting in Luxembourg on 17th April.

Mr. Joel Barnett

The EEC Finance Council met under Danish Presidency on 17th April in Luxembourg. The Council agreed a statement to be made on behalf of the Community by the Presidency at the meeting of the Interim Committee of the International Monetary Fund in Mexico City on 29th-30th April.

On the basis of the conclusions reached at the European Council in Copenhagen on 7th-8th April, the Council agreed on the procedure for making a joint assessment of the scope for action to promote economic recovery. The assessment will be considered at the May meeting of the Council with a view to reaching agreement on a report at the June Council in preparation for the European Council meeting in July.

The Council agreed to the text of a draft directive on the co-ordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to co-insurance. The directive will be formally adopted at a future meeting of the Council.

The Council had a further discussion of the date of implementation of the VAT Sixth Directive.