§ The Earl of Arranasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present, five meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for February.
126WAThe Economic and Finance Council will discuss on 9th February the economic situation in the Community and the Community position on tied aid financing in preparation for forthcoming discussions in the OECD.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 9th/10th February. Among the subjects likely to be discussed are the Commission's 1987 price fixing proposals and its proposals for socio-structural measures.
The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 16th/17th February. The Council will discuss EC/Japan trade relations and consider progress on Japanese discrimination against imported alcoholic drinks; and Commission proposals for a new generation of financial protocols for some of the Community's preferential partners. The Council may discuss the Commission's proposals for a system of compensation for loss of export earnings (COMPEX) for least developed countries not signatory to the Lom. Convention. It may also need to discuss any remaining problems in the enlargement dispute between the Community and the US.
The Fisheries Council is expected to meet on 23rd February and may discuss research and development and autonomous tariff quotas for certain species. The Internal Market Council will meet on 24th February to discuss a number of measures in the rolling action programme for completing the internal market.