§ Mr. Stokesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Community Finance Council in Brussels on 6 February.
§ Mr. LawsonI represented the United Kingdom at this Council, which was the first meeting of Finance Ministers under the French Presidency.
The Council reviewed the international economic situation in 1983 and the prospects for 1984; and had a preparatory discussion of the issues to be discussed at the special OECD ministerial meeting, which is to take place in Paris on 13–14 February.
There was also some discussion of a Commission proposal for European innovation loans to support innovatory investment in small and medium-sized firms: and a proposal to extend EMS interest rate subsidies.