§ Sir Peter Blakerasked 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.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe usual written forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. Heads of State and Government will meet at the European Council in Brussels on 29–30 March. At present seven meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for March.
The Environment Council is due to meet on 7 March to discuss the draft directives on the control of vehicle emissions, air pollution from large combustion plant, the use and disposal of containers of liquids for human consumption and the reduction of titanium dioxide waste. It will also consider the draft of a new directive to control the discharge of dangerous waste into water.
The Economic and Finance Council is expected to meet on 11 March to discuss the financial framework for the guidance section of the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund over the next five years; the Commission's quarterly review of the economic situation in the Community; points arising from the European Court of Auditors annual report for 1983; and the progress report on the unit trust directive concerning the harmonisation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions. The Council may also consider changes in the Community loan mechanism; procedures for implementing Budget discipline; and an increase in the Euratom lending ceiling.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 11–12 March and 25–27 March to consider the Commission's price proposals for 1985 and possibly agricultural structures such as aids for investment in agriculture holdings, for forestry and for the protection of the environment.
The Energy Council is expected to meet on 15 March to discuss proposals for new programmes of support for energy demonstration projects and hydrocarbon technology projects; the conclusions of the review of energy pricing policy in the Community and the rational use of energy in buildings; and a Commission paper on the refining and petroleum product situation in the Community. Ministers may also discuss aids to the solid fuels sector and the energy aspects of the draft directive on the control of emissions from large combustion plant.
The Foreign Affairs Council will meet in a specially extended session on 17–20 March to prepare the Community position for negotiations with Spain and Portugal. It will also continue its discussions of the new own resources decision and the financing of the 1985 Budget, and the new Commission proposals for integrated Mediterranean programmes; and will consider the proposal for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations in the GATT. Ministers may also consider a draft negotiating mandate for the second EC/Yugoslavia financial protocol; and the Community's policy towards its Mediterranean partners following enlargement.
The Industry Council is expected to meet on either 22 or 25 March to discuss both internal and external steel issues, including proposed amendments to the steel aids code, the supply of ferrous scrap and exports of steel to the United States. Ministers may also discuss advanced 238W manufacturing technologies, especially standards, and the tariff structure for imports of consumer electronic goods and semi-conductors.