HC Deb 30 March 1987 vol 113 c342W
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, four meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for April.

The Consumer Affairs Council on 7 April is expected to consider a proposed directive on dangerous imitations of consumer products and a progress report on the proposed safety of toys directive.

The Internal Market Council will meet on 7 April to discuss a number of measures in the rolling action programme for the completion of the internal market.

The Foreign Affairs Council will meet from 26 to 27 April. It will discuss the ex novo review of the future financing arrangements for the Community; consider a draft negotiating mandate for an EC/Hungary trade and economic agreement; the next EC/Algeria Cooperation Council to be held under the terms of the EC/Algeria cooperation agreement; and the guidelines for the provision of EC aid to Asian and Latin American countries. Following its brief discussion in March, the Council will have a fuller discussion of the current climate in EC/US relations.

The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 27/28 April, and provided there is no earlier agreement, is likely to continue its discussions on the 1987 price-fixing proposals, which will include reviews of the green currency system and the oils and fats régime.