§ Mr. Portilloasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress was made at the meeting of the Research Council of European Community Ministers on 10 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieThe EC Research Council met in Luxembourg on 10 June. I represented the United Kingdom. Discussion followed on from the 8 April Research Council (Written Answer, column527, 18 April) concentrating on the Commission's informal proposal for the Framework for European Community research and development 1987–91. There continued to be general agreement on the need for priority to be given to programmes aimed at promoting European industrial competitiveness. Some member states including the United Kingdom, expressed concern at the high level of finance proposed (10.35 billion ecu (£6.6 billion) over the five-year period) and suggested that the framwork programme should be at most half this size. The same states also stressed the need for more focussed proposals in areas with a genuine Community added value. The Commission's formal proposals will be submitted to Council in mid-July.
The environment and materials programmes were adopted as 'A' points following the closure of the conciliation process with the Europan Parliament.