§ Mr. Howardasked 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. No meetings of the Council are scheduled for August; three meetings are planned for September and six for October.
The Foreign Affairs Council is expected to meet on 16 and 17 September to discuss Commission proposals on global Mediterranean policy and the EC position on an EC/ ASEAN ministerial meeting on economic matters in October. Follow-up to the Milan European Council will probably be discussed at this meeting.
An informal meeting of Social Affairs Ministers is due to take place on 16 and 17 September to discuss the flexibility of the labour market and the applications of equal treatment legislation to men and women.
The Agriculture Council is also due to meet on 16 and 17 September and may consider the revised proposals for changes to the starch regime, the labelling of sparkling wines and a new proposal for the review of the sugar regime.
682WThe Budget Council is expected to meet on 17 and 18 September and will seek to establish the 1986 draft budget on the basis of the preliminary draft budget put forward by the Commission.
An informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers is scheduled for 20 and 21 September. This will discuss preparation for the annual meeting of the IMF/IBRD; unitary taxation, and tax approximation.
Agriculture Ministers are expected to meet informally on 23 and 24 September and are expected to consider the Commission Green Paper on perspectives for the CAP. The Fisheries Council is not expected to meet in September.
Although dates for Council meetings in October have been agreed, it is not possible at this early stage to give details of the agendas for these meetings. Statements on the outcome of Council meetings in October will be made in the usual way.