§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers for July.
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§ Sir Ian GilmourThe usual written forecast of Community business was deposited on Thursday 26 June. At present five meetings of the Council of Ministers are scheduled for July.
The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 22 July—the 1 July meeting was cancelled. The Council is expected to consider the annual report on EC/EFTA co-operation and a report by the Presidency on the Venice economic summit. Ministers are also likely to discuss the renewal of steel anti-crisis measures for the second half of 1980; the sale of steel scrap to third countries; Commission proposals for measures to be funded under the non-quota section of the regional development fund; Greek import restrictions; progress in the Spanish and Portuguese accession negotiations; the legal instruments giving effect to the 30 May agreement on the United Kingdom budget contribution; a draft directive on architects' right of establishment and freedom to provide services; the cost implications for producers of synthetic fibre of certain United States price controls; a progress report on Community relations with the Gulf States; a Commission proposal to amend the internal regulation on textile agreements under the multi-fibre arrangement and a proposal to negotiate a new textile agreement with Bolivia under the multi-fibre arrangement. In the margins of the Council, there may be ministerial level meetings with Spain and Portugal.
The Finance Council is expected to meet on 15 July to consider a Commission proposal for further loans to member States under the Ortoli loan facility. The Council will also carry out its second quarterly examination of the economic situation in the Community for 1980 and have a general exchange of views on the economic issues raised at the European Council.
The Fisheries Council is expected to meet on 21 July to discuss all aspects of the revised common fisheries policy.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 22 July to discusss arrangements for third country suppliers of mutton and lamb and implementation of the common organisation of the market. It is also likely to consider arrangements for the import of butter from New Zealand after the end of 520W 1980. Proposals on policy concerning agricultural structures, including certain proposals for Northern Ireland, and for the common organisation of the ethyl alcohol market are also expected to be considered.
The Fiscal Questions Council is expected to meet on 24 July to resume discussion about the basis for harmonising the structure of excise duties on alcoholic beverages. Ministers will also consider a request by Belgium for derogation under article 27 of the sixth VAT directive and two directives covering tax reliefs for temporarily imported means of transport and permanent import of personal property.