HC Deb 27 February 1986 vol 92 cc689-92W
Mr. Fallon

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.

Mrs. Chalker

The usual forecast was deposited in the House today. At present nine formal meetings and one informal meeting of the Council are scheduled for March 1986.

On 3 March the Industry Council will discuss a paper on the Community's approach to improving the competitiveness of industry; and steel trade problems caused by the accession of Spain and Portugal to the Community.

The Council may discuss the EC-non-energy raw materials exploration loans scheme; the next shipbuilding directive; raw materials for biotechnology; progress on a new mechanism on starch and sugar; and the transfer of technology.

On 4 March there will be a special meeting of the African Caribbean Pacific-EEC Council to discuss the guaranteed price for ACP sugar exports to the Community under the sugar protocol to the Lomé convention.

The Environment Council will meet on 6 March to consider the draft directive on large combustion plants intended to lay down reductions in emissions of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and dust from all existing large combustion plants; a draft directive on sulphur content of gas oil, which would reduce the maximum permitted sulphur content of gas oil placed on the market within the Community from 1 July 1987; a draft directive on the use of sewage sludge on agricultural land and the new water directive intended to carry forward the existing 1976 directive.

The Council will also discuss the European Year of the Environment.

On 10 March the Economic and Finance Council will discuss a mandate for the Community for the forthcoming negotiations in the OECD consensus group on further improvements in transparency and discipline in the use of tied aid credits for developing countries. The Council will also consider the budget reference framework for 1987; international debt issues; points arising from the European Court of Auditors annual report for 1984; and the Commission's quarterly review of the economic situation in the Community. The Council may also consider a report from the working party on fiscal harmonisation.

The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 10–11 March. It will continue discussion of the draft mandate for the negotiations on the future of the multi-fibre arrangement. It will also discuss EC-Japan relations and preparations for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations.

The main items on the agenda for the Transport Council on 14 March will be further consideration of the Commission proposals on aviation and shipping. The Council will also consider transitional measures to ensure that the agreed target date of 1992 for the abolition of quantitative restrictions on intra-Community road haulage is met.

The Fisheries Council on 18 March is to consider the 1986 guide prices for certain species and amendments to the technical conservation regulation though these items have yet to be confirmed.

The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 24–25 March 1986 to consider the 1986 price proposals, the milk outgoers scheme; and agricultural structures.

On 18 March the Internal Market Council will consider a report from the Commission on progress under the new approach to standards, including certification. A proposal on simple pressure vessels and a background paper on consumer safety are likely to be discussed. The Council will consider a Commission proposal concerning a work programme for creating a common information market; the draft directive on powered industrial trucks; and a proposal to make minor technical amendments to the directive on the range of nominal quantities and nominal capacities permitted for certain prepackaged products. The Council may discuss the proposed commercial agents directive which seeks to regulate the relationship between agents and their principles.

The Energy Council will meet on 20 March. It will discuss the effects of lower oil prices; a draft decision on coal state aids and associated social measures. It will also discuss a proposed ERDF community programme on energy, known as VALOREN.

The Council will also discuss Commission papers on solid fuels and on a proposed package of measures to promote the exploitation of new and renewable energy sources.