§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Community Finance Council in Brussels on 17 November.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThis Council took place under the United Kingdom Presidency. I took the chair and the Financial Secretary represented the United Kingdom.
The meeting was devoted exclusively to further consideration of the draft insurance directive. Progress was made on those aspects of the draft directive dealing with industrial, commercial and professional risks, freedom of services for branches and agencies, and taxation. Further discussions will take place at the next meeting of the Council on 14 December.