Mr. RhodesJames 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. RifkindThe usual written forecast was deposited in the House today. At present four formal and one informal meeting of the Council are scheduled for January.
On 8 and 9 January there will be an informal meeting of Transport Ministers in The Hague. For the meeting the Dutch Presidency has produced three papers covering air, inland and maritime transport which will form the basis for discussion.
On 13–14 January the Fisheries Council may meet to discuss any matters not resolved at the December meetings.
The Economic and Finance Council is expected to meet on 20 January to consider further the calculation of commercial interest reference rates which apply to export finance; the terms of reference of the high level working party on fiscal harmonisation, agreed on at the December Council and to discuss international debt issues.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 20–21 January 1986. Among the subjects expected to be discussed are the reform of the starch regime, sugar for the chemical industry, and outstanding points on Portuguese and Spanish accession.
In the Foreign Affairs Council Ministers will discuss Commission proposals for a negotiating mandate on the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement.
Ministers will also discuss the adaptation of the EC-EFTA agreements to take account of the enlargement of the Community.