§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in the light of the year that the Council of Ministers' working party has already taken to examine only six of the 37 articles of the proposed EEC directive regarding commercial agents, he is satisfied with the progress of this working party; and if he will take action designed to expedite its proceedings.
§ Mr. EyreAt its last meeting in May the Council working group reached article 15 in its consideration of this proposed directive. A further meeting is to be held later this month. The proposal is detailed 711W and complex and the text requires very careful scrutiny. It is therefore inevitable that lengthy consideration and discussion is required, especially in view of the difference in member States' arrangements affecting commercial agents.
In these circumstances progress commensurate with the responsibilities involved has been made to date.