HC Deb 30 June 1983 vol 44 cc133-4W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

Mr. Rifkind

At present seven meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for July. The usual written forecast was deposited in the House earlier today.

The next Fisheries Council is due to meet on 11–12 July to discuss total allowable catches—TACs—and quotas.

The Finance Council is expected to meet on 11 July to discuss the European Community position on the Consensus—international agreement on guidelines for export credits—after the OECD ministerial meeting on 27–28 June. The Council is also expected to consider the Commission's second quarterly review of the economic situation in the Community and the proposal to extend interest subsidies for certain loans granted under the EMS. Ministers may also discuss the international role of the European currency unit, and tax and financial measures in favour of investment.

The Energy Council will meet again on 12 July. Ministers are expected to discuss Community energy strategy — progress and guidelines for future action; energy and energy research in the Community—a five-year programme of action and its financing; proposals for a balanced policy on solid fuels; the Community's oil refining industry; and energy demonstration projects.

The Foreign Affairs Council is expected to meet on 8 July and on 18–19 July. On 8 July it is expected to concentrate on the procedure for negotiations to be held in accordance with the Stuttgart declaration on the future financing of the Community. On 18–19 July it is expected to discuss the Commission's mandate for the renegotiation of the Lomé convention, which is due to begin in the autumn; progress in negotiations on Greenland's application to withdraw from the Community; and the question of a protocol to accord privileges and immunities to the European Foundation. Ministers will continue discussion of a new regional development fund regulation and may discuss the outcome of European Community/United States talks on agricultural trade.

The Agriculture Council is next expected to meet on 18–19 July to consider the distillation rules for wine; the reform of Mediterranean agriculture, which includes fruit and vegetables and olive oil; and beef tariff quotas for high quality fresh, chilled or frozen imports. It may also consider the reform of the processed fruit and vegetable regime, and the question of cage sizes for battery hens.

The Budget Council is expected to meet on 20–21 July to discuss the Community's preliminary draft budget for 1984 and probably the preliminary draft supplementary and amending budget No. 2 for 1983.

The Steel Council is due to meet on 25 July to discuss the Community steel regime and in particular progress made towards restructuring and renewal of article 58 production quotas.