§ Mr. Dykesasked 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. ChalkerThe usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present five meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for July.
The Economic and Finance Council is expected to meet on 7 July to consider the second quarterly review of the economic situation in the Community and to discuss the budgetary situation of 1986.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 14/15 July. Among subjects likely to be discussed are the sale of reduced-price butter to persons receiving social assistance; the mandate on ACP sugar; registration of vineyards; supplementary trade mechanisms; Portuguese wine structures; imitation dairy products; and French overseas sugar. The Fisheries Council is not expected to meet in July.
At its meeting on 16/17 July the Budget Council will discuss the 1987 preliminary draft budget. It may also need to deal with the unfinished business of the 1986 Budget.
The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 21/22 July. The Council is likely to review the current state of its trade relations with the United States and with Japan. The Council will also discuss EC/Turkey, in preparation for the EC/Turkey Association Council in September, and EC/GCC relations. The Council may, in addition, discuss the Mediterranean policy of the enlarged Community, to agree a revised mandate for trade negotiations and, if necessary, EC/Yugoslavia to agree an EC position prior to the meeting of the EC/Yugoslavia Co-operation Council in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council.
The Internal Market Council will meet on 24 July. The Council will discuss a number of items from the presidency action programme.