§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the EEC Health Ministers on 13th December;
(2) what machinery exists for ensuring that future EEC Health Ministers' meetings discuss matters on which a distinctively EEC policy could be relevant and useful;
(3) what consultations outside Government circles he had concerning the agenda for the EEC Health Ministers' meeting on 13th December.
§ Mr. EnnalsI represented the United Kingdom at this meeting, which was the first of its kind. This was not the normal type of meeting of the Council in which decisions are sought on proposals made by the Commission, but an opportunity for Health Ministers to discuss general problems of current interest.
857WA useful exchange of views took place on the economic aspects of the provision of health care and information was given on the measures being taken in member States to limit increases in costs.
In a discussion of policies for health education, there was agreement on the need to give a high priority to measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption, and general acceptance of the view that Community fiscal measures should not run counter to health objectives.
The Commission was invited to convene a meeting of experts from member States to exchange information on vaccination policy; and, following a proposal which I made, to call a similar meeting to examine the ways in which medical advice could more readily be made available to the Commission by member States, and to consider topics for discussion at any second ministerial meeting.
The agenda of the meeting of 13th December was agreed in prior consultations between member States.