HC Deb 21 May 1981 vol 5 cc170-1W
Mr. Latham

asked 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 Gilmour

The usual written forecast was deposited in the House on Wednesday 20 May. Heads of State and Government will meet in the European Council in Luxembourg on 29–30 June. At present 11 meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for June.

The Fiscal Questions Council is expected to meet on 4 June to continue discussion about the basis for harmonising the structure of excise duties on alcoholic drinks and about personal allowances for travellers.

The Labour and Social Affairs Council is expected to meet on 9 June to discuss the Commission paper on the problems of unemployment in the Community; the relationship between health and safety at work and technical barriers to trade; the draft directive aimed at increasing and improving the provision of education and vocational training for fishermen and technical amendments to Community social security regulations. The Council will also discuss aspects of the draft directive on lead; the Commission report on new aids to youth employment from the European social fund and a further Commission report on the implementation by member States of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in employment and training.

The Environment Council is expected to meet on 11 June to resume discussion of the draft directives on major accident hazards and discharges of mercury into the acquatic environment. Ministers will also consider the draft decision establishing a marine oil pollution information system and review progress on the draft directive on environmental assessment. In addition, the Commission is expected to make a statement on chlorofluorocarbons.

The Finance Council is expected to meet on 15 June to continue discussion of the draft non-life insurance services directive and the Community's position on possible changes to the export credits consensus. A Commission report on subsidies for energy consumption may be presented and the Council may also consider the economic situation in the Community and the proposal for renewing and extending the new Community instrument for project lending in the Community.

The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 15–16 June to consider proposals for the use of hormones in domestic animals and any outstanding aspects of the common agricultural policy price fixing for 1981–82 or related measures.

The Transport Council is expected to meet on 18 June to consider Community railways policy, a proposed consultation and information procedure on relations with third countries on inland transport matters and technical requirements for inland waterways vessels. Ministers are also expected to discuss scheduled inter-regional air services between member States, the regulation of air services for the carriage of express air cargo and a draft declaration on standards for shipping safety and pollution prevention through the control of foreign ships calling at Community ports. In addition, the Commission is expected to make a statement on its examination of scheduled air fares in the Community.

The Development Council is expected to meet on 22 June to consider progress in the North-South discussions and preparations for United Nations Conferences on Least Developed Countries and New and Renewable Sources of Energy. Ministers may also consider a regulation on the management of the Community's food aid programme.

The Foreign Affairs Council is expected to meet on 22–23 June to discuss preparations for the next European Council on 29–30 June, at which a major topic will be the Commission's report on budget restructuring. Ministers are also likely to discuss relations with Japan; renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement; the EC/EFTA annual report; the Community's attitude towards current discussions of international economic questions and the regulation for the management of the Community's programme of food aid for developing countries. There is also expected to be a further meeting with Spain in the negotiations for Spanish accession to the Community.

The Fisheries Council may meet in June to discuss proposals for a revised Common Fisheries Policy and relations with third countries.

Whole-time equivalent per 1,000 population
State Certified Midwives September 1979
Area Health Authority Consultant Obstetricians and Gynaecologists* September 1980 Consultant Paediatricians† September 1980 All Midwives Community Midwives only Health Visitors (excluding school health) September 1979
Clwyd 0.030 0.048 0.442 0.113 0.175
Dyfed 0.036 0.050 0.481 0.314 0.187
Gwent 0.034 0.021 0.320 0.099 0.173
Gwynedd 0.034 0.042 0.526 0.337 0.176
Mid Glamorgan 0.041 0.045 0.289 0.101 0.157
Powys 0.009 0.010 0.442 0.248 0.144
South Glamorgan 0.034 0.076 0.316 0.084 0.222
West Glamorgan 0.036 0.048 0.467 0.145 0.191
Wales 0.035 0.045 0.390 0.156 0.180
*Rate per thousand females aged 15 and over.
†Rate per thousand children aged under 15.