HC Deb 25 May 1984 vol 60 cc610-1W
Mr. Hal Miller

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's Council of Ministers.

Mr. Rifkind

The usual written forecast was deposited in the House on 25 May. Heads of State and Government will meet at the European Council in Fontainebleau on 25–26 June. At present 10 meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for June.

The Education Council planned for 21 May will now meet on 4 June to discuss technological change and social adjustment; the teaching of foreign languages; pilot schemes on the education of migrant workers' children; the integration of handicapped children into ordinary schools; illiteracy; and education in the light of changing demographic, economic and social conditions.

The Economic and Finance Council is expected to meet on 4 June to prepare for the London economic summit. The Council is also expected to discuss the eonomic situation in the Community; the Community loan mechanism; budgetary discipline; fiscal measures to increase cross-border co-operation, inluding the draft regulation on the European economic interest grouping; financing fo European innovation loans; non-life insurance schemes; and unit trust directives.

The Development Council is expected to meet on 5 June to discuss co-ordination of development policies and operations within the Community; trade promotion; food aid substitution actions; and the thematic approach to aid.

The Consumer Affairs Council is expected to meet on 5 June to discuss proposals on misleading advertising; doorstep selling; and price marking. There may also be discussion of unfair contract terms; product liability; and general consumer affairs policy.

The Labour and Social Affairs Council is expected to meet on 7 June to consider the draft resolutions on local employment initiatives and women's unemployment; the draft recommendation on the reduction and reorganisation of working time; and a Commission communication on the social effects of new technology. Other items on the agenda include a report on the discussions on the draft Vredeling directive; and proposals for a medium-term social action programme.

The Research Council will meet on 8 June to consider research and development programmes on biotechnology and non-nuclear energy; basic technological research; radiation protection; the stimulation of scientific and technical co-operation; research and development priorities; and the joint research centre board of governors. It may also consider reactor safety.

The Foreign Affairs Council is due to meet on 18–19 June to discuss preparations for the 25–26 June European Council; preparations for the 28–29 June EC/ACP ministerial meeting on the renegotiation of the Lomé convention; and the Community's relations with the central American states. The proposed new regulation for the European regional development fund may also be discussed. The Council will be given a progress report on discussion on the Community's policy towards the Mediterranean preferential partners following enlargement; and the Commission is expected to report on the negotiation and renewal of the EC/China textiles agreement negotiation, which completes the negotiation of the group of agreements covered by the Council's mandate to the Commission of February 1982. Ministers will prepare the Community's positions for:

  1. (a) the ministerial negotiating conference with Spain, and
  2. (b) the EC/Yugoslavia co-operation council, both of which are due to be held in the margins of the Council.

The Agricultural Council is next expected to meet on 18–19 June to consider agricultural structures, which include aids for investment in agricultural holdings; measures for forestry and the protection of the environment; New Zealand butter quotas; olive oil controls for 1984–85; egg marketing standards; pig carcase classification; and the wine marketing regime.

The Internal Market Council is expected to meet on 19 June to discuss the single administrative document and general policy on standardisation.

The Environment Council is due to meet on 28 June to discuss a directive on environmental assessment; a regulation on trans-frontier shipment of hazardous waste; lindane (a pesticide) in the aquyatic environment; a directive on air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide; and a decision on an information system on the state of the environment. Ministers will also consider Commission proposals relating to unleaded petrol and motor vehicle emissions; a directive on air emissions from large combustion plants; and environmental relations with less developed countries.