§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what article of the treaty of Rome the Heads of Governments of the European Communities constituted the European Council; and under what article they established permanent working groups.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe European Council was set up by Heads of Government to provide general political impetus to the Community. It was not set up as such by the Treaty of Rome. However, when the European Council acts in matters within the scope of the European Communities, it does so in its capacity as the Council of Ministers within the meaning of the treaties (article 2 of the Merger Treaty).
The two committees set up by the Fontainbleu European Council are ad hoc groups composed of personal representatives of Heads of Government. They are due to complete their work by March 1985.