§ Mr. Neil Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the European Community Industry/Steel Council held on 22 November.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe Council, at which I represented the United Kingdom, agreed on a mandate for the Commission to negotiate a voluntary restraint arrangement with the United States on exports of pipe and tube. The proposed arrangement, aimed at forestalling possible unilateral United States action, is intended to provide EC exporters with a guaranteed share of at least 7.6 per cent. of the United States market. The Commission reported to the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 November on the results of its discussions with the United States. My hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind), the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will be making a statement shortly to the House on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council.
The Council also considered a Commission proposal to make certain amendments to the ECSC rules on steel aids, intended to help achieve the central objective of terminating state aids to steelmakers by the end of 1985. This issue, together with questions concerning the steel quota arrangements and ferrous scrap will be further discussed at a Council planned for 17 December.