§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is currently engaged in with the EEC Commission on matters for which he is responsible; and, in particular, if he will give a detailed breakdown of each topic under discussion, with special reference to EEC proposals, actual or envisaged, and their status in the Community's legislative machinery.
§ Mr. JuddMy right hon. Friend is continuously involved in discussions on a wide range of EEC topics on which he reports fully to Parliament, both in statements on the proceedings in Foreign Affairs Councils and on other occasions, as appropriate. Subjects currently under discussion on which my right hon. Friend has particular responsibility include enlargement, relations with third countries and arrangements concerned with direct elections to the European Assembly. On 12 March, I reported fully to the House on the outcome of the last Foreign Affairs Council on 5 and 6 March, which discussed preparations for the European 341W Council, including the common agricultural policy, convergence, energy, employment and social policy. On 14 March my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, reported the decisions at the European Council.
As regards other subjects under discussion in the Foreign Affairs Council, I reported on the dialogue with the European Assembly over the Budget, the negotiations for a successor to the Lomé Convention, Greek accession, the association arrangement with Turkey, the GATT multilateral trade negotiations, the Community position at the Common Fund negotiating conference and at the fifth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD V), aids to the steel industry, the negotiations with the Romanians, a safeguard agreement between EURATOM and Australia, and on the need for concessions on imports of new potatoes from Cyprus. My hon. Friend will be aware that Commission proposals to the Council for Community legislation are deposited with the Scrutiny Committee.