HC Deb 31 January 1985 vol 72 cc276-7W
Mr. Andrew Stewart

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.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

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

The Internal Market and Consumer Affairs Council is due to meet on 11 February to discuss product liability; the draft directive on the co-ordination of laws relating to self-employed commercial agents; the draft directive on doorstep selling; the draft directive on the right of establishment of architects; the draft 20th VAT directive on compensation for German farmers as agreed at Fontainebleau; and the proposal for tax reliefs for international travellers, for small private consignments and for fuel in tanks of commercial vehicles.

The Economic and Finance Council is expected to meet on 11 February to discuss the financial framework for measures to be financed from the guidance section of the European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund (FEOGA) over the years 1985–89.

The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 18–19 February to prepare the Community position for negotiations with Spain and Portugal. It will continue its discussions of the new own resources decision and the financing of the 1985 budget; and of the 1985 food aid programme. Ministers may also consider a draft negotiating mandate for the second EC-Yugoslavia financial Protocol and may give further consideration to the question of integrated Mediterranean programmes (IMPS).

The Agricultural Council is expected to meet on 25–26 February to consider the Commission's price proposals for 1985; the reform of the wine regime, including structural measures; proposals on obligatory distillation and special measures for Greece in the light of the Dublin European Council conclusions; and agricultural structures which involve aids for investment in agricultural holdings, measures for forestry and the protection of the environment. The administration of the milk supplementary levy may also be discussed.