§ Mr. Fallonasked 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. ChalkerThe usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present eight meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for November.
The Development Council on 9 November will consider draft guidelines on the following subjects: the evaluation of aid; issues relating to women in development; the need to take account of environmental factors in aid; and the Community's aid programme to Asia and Latin America in 1988. The Council will discuss the economic situation in sub-Saharan Africa and will consider a Commission proposal for establishing a special Community programme to assist certain highly indebted, low-income countries in that region. The Council will also consider reports by the Commission on the following subjects: the implementation of the Community's programme to combat AIDS in developing countries; the co-financing by the Community of projects with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); and the food aid framework regulation.
The Energy Council will meet on 13 November and will consider the Council's recommendation on new and renewable sources of energy including the possible establishment of a special group on commercial aspects, draft Council conclusions on environmental costs borne by the refining industry, and a proposed directive on the energy efficiency of buildings. Ministers will also consider the outlook for greater efficiency in the use of electricity in the Community.
The Economic and Finance Council meets on 16 November. The Council may discuss Commission proposals on the next stages of capital market liberalisation; the 7th VAT directive on the treatment of second hand goods; the 18th VAT directive which abolishes certain transitional derogations from the provisions of the Community's basic VAT law (the 6th 476W VAT directive); the Commission's package of tax proposals to remove fiscal barriers to trade in the Community and the UCITS collective investment schemes directive.
The Agriculture Council is expected to meet on 16–17 November to discuss agricultural stabilisers, income aids and pre-pensions. Internal market items may also be discussed.
The Foreign Affairs Council meets on 23–24 November. Discussions will include European Community-United States trade relations; the possibility of a trade and economic co-operation agreement between the EC and the Gulf Co-operation Council; the future financing of the Community, and GATT article XXI V.6 negotiations with Japan.
The Fisheries Council is expected to meet on 24 November to discuss amendments to market regulations, guide prices and a report on third-country fisheries relations.
The Internal Market Council on 30 November will discuss a number of measures relevant to the completion of the single market.
The Research Council will meet on 30 November. The provisional agenda anticipates the formal adoption of three individual research programmes, namely RACE, (R&D in advanced communications technologies in Europe) (1987–1991), a research and development programme in the field of science and technology for development (1987–1990) and a programme of research and development in the field of medical and public health (1987–1989). It is also expected that the Council well approve a common position on the following research programme proposals: ESPRIT II; the proposed revisions to both the BRITE programme (industrial technologies) and the radiation protection programme. Discussion on the proposals for the next multi-annual programme of the Community's joint research centre (JRC) will also take place and there may be a first discussion on the fusion programme. A proposal for a Council regulation in the health care field of information technology and telecommunications will also be discussed.