HC Deb 30 January 1987 vol 109 cc421-2W
Mr. Hanley

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 earlier today. At present, five meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for February.

The Economic and Finance Council will discuss on 9 February the economic situation in the Community, and the Community position on tied aid financing in preparation for forthcoming discussions in the OECD.

The Agricultural Council is expected to meet on 9–10 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 16–17 February. The Council will discuss EC-Japan trade relations and consider progress on Japanese discrimination against imported alcoholic drinks; and Commission proposals for 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 exports earnings (Compex) for least developed countries not signatory to the Lomé convention. It may also need to discuss any remaining problems in the enlargement dispute between the Community and the United States.

The Fisheries Council is expected to meet on 23 February and may discuss research and development and autonomous tariff quotas for certain species.

The Internal Market Council will meet on 24 February to discuss a number of measures in the rolling action programme for completing the internal market.