§ Mr. Ron Thomasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the EEC Finance Council meeting on 19 February.
§ Mr. HealeyThe Finance Council met in Brussels on 19 February under French presidency.
The Council had an exchange of views on the economic situation in the Community during which Finance Ministers outlined the latest economic developments in each of their countries. The Council agreed a statement which the President will make on behalf of the Community at the next meeting of the International Monetary Fund interim committee which is due to take place in Washington on 7 March. There was a preliminary discussion of Commission proposals for a regulation on interest rate subsidies for loans for structural purposes in the context of the European monetary system. The proposals are scheduled to be discussed again at the next Finance Council on 19 March.