§ Mrs. Rumboldasked 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. RifkindThe usual written forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present four meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for January.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 14–15 January to consider the reform of the wine regime, which includes structural measures for Greece in the light of the conclusions reached at the Dublin European Council; beef imports from third countries under GATT; and the administration of the milk supplementary levy. Ministers may also consider agricultural structures, including aids for investment in agricultural holdings, measures for forestry and the protection of the environment.
The Fisheries Council is due to meet on 22 January to consider arrangements with Norway for the allocation of North sea herring; member states' quotas in Greenland waters for 1985; trilateral management with Norway and Sweden of joint stocks in the Skagerrak and Kattegat and, possibly, relations with Mauritania and Madagascar.
The Foreign Affairs Council is due to meet on 28–29 January to prepare the Community position for negotiations with Spain and Portugal. It will also discuss the draft new own resources decision.
There is to be an Industry Council towards the end of January to consider the Community's steel aids code and, possibly, state aids to industry.