HC Deb 27 April 1981 vol 3 cc316-7W
Mr. Dykes

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will consider holding some special events within the United Kindgdom to mark the forthcomimg Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

Sir Ian Gilmour

There will be a number of significant events in the United Kingdom during our forthcoming Presidency: in November a meeting of the European Council will bring to London the Heads of State and Government of our European partners; Foreign Ministers will meet here in political co-operation, both formally in October and informally in September; and there may well be other meetings at ministerial level in the United Kingdom during the six months concerned. Our purpose at these meetings will be to strengthen the Community and to advance the interests of Europe as a whole. We would wish our Presidency to be marked by success in this important endeavour.