§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish in the Official Report a forecast of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe usual written forecast was deposited in the House on Tuesday 23 June. At present four meetings of the Council are planned for July.
The Finance Council is expected to meet on 6 July to consider the Commission's second quarterly review of the economic situation and have a preliminary discussion on the setting of budgetary policy guidelines. There will be a further discussion of the new Community instrument, which allows the Commission to borrow in the markets for on-lending for investment projects in member States. We hope that it will be possible for the Council to reach conclusions on the Commission's proposals for renewing this facility.
The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 13–14 July. It is expected to consider preparations for the United Nations conference on least developed countries; relations with Japan; Community staff pay and preparations for the Ottawa economic summit. There may also be discussions of the handling of the 30 May 1980 mandate in the light of the European Council's preliminary consideration of the Commission's report on 29–30 June. There is also to be a further meeting with Spain in the negotiations for Spanish accession to the Community. In addition, Ministers may discuss proposals to regulate doorstep selling; arrangements for trade between Yugoslavia and Greece following Greek accession—particularly as regards baby beef; the management of the Community's food aid programme for developing countries and the Community's position in relation to the new international cocoa agreement.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 20–21 July to consider proposals on the use of hormones in domestic animals, on certain commodity issues—including a system of aid for Community cotton—and on structures.
127WThe Budget Council is expected to meet on 23 July to discuss and establish the draft Community budget for 1982 and the draft rectifying budget of the European Communities for 1981.