HC Deb 31 July 1984 vol 65 cc176-7W
Mr. Ryder

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

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

The Budget Council is due to meet on 6–7 September to discuss the problems connected with the 1984 and 1985 budgets.

In addition to the regular Foreign Affairs Councils to be held on 17–18 September and 22–23 October there will be special meetings on 3 September and 1–2 October. At all four Councils Ministers will discuss enlargement issued in preparation for the ministerial conferences with Spain and Portugal which are due to be held in the margins. At its 17–18 September meeting the Council is also expected to consider the state of play in the negotiations on a successor to the second Lomé convention in preparation for a further negotiating conference at ministerial level with the ACP countries on 9–10 October; the development of Community relations with the countries of central America, including the possibilities for an EC cooperation agreement with the region; the need for a further supplement to the 1984 duty free quota of imported newsprint; and the Community's policy towards the Mediterranean partners following enlargement. The Council is expected to prepare the Community's position for the discussions on renegotiation of the international cocoa agreement which are due to resume in Geneva from 8–26 October. Ministers may also consider the implications for the Community of the United States International Trade Commission's recommendation for import restraint on certain steel products; and may discuss the follow-up to the Fontainebleau European Council in the light of the outcome of the Budget Council and the informal meeting of Finance Ministers scheduled for 15–16 September. In addition to the enlargement negotiations, the 22–23 October Council will continue its discussion of Mediterranean policy following enlargement and may consider the progress made in the Lomé convention negotiations.

The Agriculture Council is due to meet on 17–18 September and 22–23 October. At its September meeting the Council is expected to consider agricultural structures; a revision of the controls affecting the marketing of oils and fats; aid for the production of olive oil and for producer organisations; sugar and isoglucose in the chemical industry and new proposals for the wine regime. In October it will probably continue its discussions on agricultural structures; sugar and isoglucose in the chemical industry and the new proposals for the wine regime. It may also consider the question of market management problems rising from budget exhaustion.

The Fisheries Council is scheduled to meet on 1–2 October to consider the roll-over of 1984 total allowable catches and quotas; and proposals covering technical conservation measures for fisheries. It may also consider the need for new TACs following the enlargement of the Community.

The Internal Market Council next meets on 9 October to consider measures to further the completion of the Common Market for goods and services, in particular the 14th VAT directive, the single administrative document for goods traffic and standardisation of manufactured products.

The Economic and Finance Council is due to meet on 15 October when it will continue discussion on measures to guarantee the effective application of budget discipline.

The Research Council is expected to meet on 16 October to discuss basic research in industrial technology for Europe; non-nuclear energy; radiation protection; reactor safety; fusion; and radioactive waste.