§ Mr. KirkhopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in theOfficial Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 23 and 24 November.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. and learned Friend and I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 23–24 November. The discussions were mainly about the financial situation in the European Community and the crucial issue of agricultural reform.
223WAt the same time as Foreign Ministers were meeting in Brussels, a meeting of the Agriculture Council was taking place to discuss proposals for stabilisers for all agricultural commodities.
My right hon. and learned Friend made clear that binding agreement on effective stabilisers was essential for an overall agreement to be reached at the European Council on the future financing of the Community. Every attempt to water down proposed stabilisers only increased the risk of failure at Copenhagen. Discussion of these and other aspects of the negotiations will be pursued at a special meeting of EC Foreign Ministers in Brussels on 29–30 November.
On the other issues, the Council agreed a negotiating mandate for a trade and economic co-operation agreement between the European Communities and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Council also agreed the Commission's recommendation to accept the latest Japanese offer in the GATT article XXIV.6 negotiations with Japan.
The Council discussed proposals for Council regulations laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactivity in foodstuffs after a nuclear accident, and extending the arrangements governing food imports following the Chernobyl accident. It decided that a further discussion should take place at the December Foreign Affairs Council.
Meeting in European political co-operation, Ministers discussed East—West matters, the middle east and the Iran—Iraq war. My right hon. and learned Friend drew
224W
Grants given by the National Heritage Memorial Fund for the restoration of nitrate film stock Grant £ Total grant £ Approximate footage Total footage 1980–81 National Film Archive (British Film Institute) 62,500 62,500 — — 1981–82 National Film Archive (British Film Institute) 100,000 162,500 635,000 635,000 1982–83 National Film Archive (British Film Institute) 120,000 282,500 815,000 1,450,000 North West Film Archive (Manchester Polytechnic) 9,275 291,775 35,619 1,485,619 Scottish Film Archive (Scottish Film Council) 6,000 297,775 55,000 1,540,619 1983–84 Motoring archive film (National Motor Museum Trust, Beaulieu) 12,400 310,175 19,100 1,559,719 National Film Archive (British Film Institute) — 310,175 144,000 1,703,719 1984–85 National Film Archive (British Film Institute) 89,375 399,550 — 1,703,719 1986–87 National Film Archive (British Film Institute) 100,000 499,550 133,000 1,836,719 1987–88 National Film Archive (British Film Institute) 30,000 529,550 1126,000 1,962,719 Motoring Archive film (National 10,000 539,550 2— — Motor Museum Trust, Beaulieu) my colleagues' attention to Libya's involvement in the Eksund arms shipment. We and other member states will be following up the implications of this very serious affair.
Community Foreign Ministers issued a statement condemning South Africa's military incursion into Angola and calling for the immediate withdrawal of South African troops. We also issued statements expressing continued support and encouragement for the peace process in central America, and expressing support for the process of re-establishing a democracy in Haiti, where elections will be held on 29 November. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.