Council of Ministers (Hansard, 1 December 1987)

§ Mr. Mellor

The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present, 12 meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for December.

The Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers, which meets on 1 December, will discuss action to combat long-term unemployment; a progress report on the action programmes for the preparation of young people for adult and working life and for the integration of people with disabilities; and article 118A of the treaty of Rome concerning health and safety at work. The Council will consider a common position under the co-operation procedure on the draft directives on benzene and on the proscription of four specified carcinogens. A progress report on the draft directive on exposure limits and a communication on a women's research institute may also be considered.

The Environment Council will meet on 3 December and will discuss emissions from large combustion plants; three 493W draft directives on vehicle emissions; dumping of waste at sea in the light of the recent North sea conference; two separate proposals for the control of the discharge into water of HCB and HCBD (two uncommon but very hazardous list I substances) and chromium. A proposal to establish a notification procedure for the export of dangerous chemicals; a proposal to establish a programme illustrating the link between environmental projects and employment creation; controls on cadmium usage and a proposal to extend the marine pollution information system to inland waterways.

The European Council, which will be held in Copenhagen on 4/5 December, is expected to concentrate on the financial situation of the Community, in particular the reform of the common agricultural policy.

The Economic and Financial Council is expected to meet on 7 December to discuss the Commission's annual report on the economic situation in the Community.

The Transport Council will meet on 7 December. Ministers are expected to continue discussions on the air transport liberalisation package covering fares, capacity, market access and the application of competition rules. Transport infrastructure, summertime, liberalisation of road transport and road haulage issues will be discussed as time permits.

The Industry Council meets on 8 December and will discuss Commission proposals on the future of the EC steel regime.

The Budget Council is expected to meet on 9/10 December to continue discussions on the establishment of a draft budget for 1988.

The Agriculture Council meets on 10/11 December to follow up the recent discussions on agricultural stabilisers. The Council may also discuss beef tariff quotas, quick frozen foods and maximum pesticide residues in cereals, fruit and vegetables.

The Foreign Affairs Council meets on 14/15 December. The agenda will include the proposed Commission amendments concerning the extension of the regulation governing the Community's food aid programme, the 1988 guidelines for the Community's programme of aid to Asia and Latin America, and the content of a Community submission on services in the Uruguay round. Arrangements for a special Community programme to assist poor, heavily indebted African countries that are taking action to adjust the structure of their economies are expected to be finalised. The Council will again consider a regulation laying down the maximum permitted levels of radioactivity in foodstuffs after a nuclear accident, together with a proposal to extend the arrangements governing food imports following the Chernobyl accident. A Co-operation Council under the terms of the EC/ Yugoslavia co-operation agreement will also be held during the meeting.

The Fisheries Council is expected to meet on 14–15 December and is likely to discuss total allowable catches and quotas, and relations with third countries. The Council may also discuss amendments to marketing regulations.

The Consumer Council will meet on 18 December to discuss toy safety, unit pricing, integration of consumer protection into other Community policies and consumer participation in setting of standards.

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The Research Council will meet on 21 December. The provisional agenda anticipates discussion on the proposals for the next multi-annual programme of the Community's joint research centre (1988–1991). The Council is expected to adopt two programmes, on the RACE (R and D in Advanced Communications Technologies in Europe) (1987–1991) programme and the research and develop-ment programme in the field of science and technology for development (1987–1990). It is also expected that the Council will approve common positions on the ESPRIT II programme proposal and the proposed extension to the BRITE programme (industrial technologies).