§ Mr. William PowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in theOfficial 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 nine meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for May.
At the EC/ASEAN meeting on 2–3 May, Ministers will discuss relations between the Community and ASEAN, and other international issues.
The Internal Market Council meets on 3 May to discuss measures relevant to the completion of the single market.
The Agriculture Council will meet on 16–17 May to continue its discussions on the 1988 price-fixing proposals and to consider various proposals forming part of the programme for the completion of the single market.
The Education Council meets on 24 May to discuss the European dimension in education, a proposal to increase awareness of Community in schools; the transition of young people from education to adult and working life; education and the environment; teaching of foreign languages; medium-term priorities for education cooperation; and prospects for COMETT (a scheme to promote high technology cooperation between industry and universities) and ERASMUS (a scheme to encourage students to spend time at European universities).
The Foreign Affairs Council meets on 24–25 May. Discussions are expected to include the extension of the food aid framework regulation; preparation for the EC-Israel Co-operation Council; relations between the Community and the United States; progress made in negotiations with Hungary on a trade and co-operation agreement; implemention of the European Council conclusions on financing the Community; and dates for the 1989 European Parliamentary elections.
The Industry Council on 27 May is likely to hold preliminary discussions on the future of ECSC steel production quotas.
The Culture Council meets on 27 May to discuss priorities for further cultural co-operation at Community level and its implemention.
The Health Council will meet on 31 May to discuss progress on two draft directives under the cancer programme concerning labelling of tobacco products and tar yield; proposals for the collection of epidemiological data and the exchange of information on other measures concerning AIDS; a Commission report on toxicology; health aspects of medical technology and data processing; biotechnology; and the authorisation of proprietary medicinal products.
314WThe Development Council will meet on 31 May. Ministers are expected to discuss a draft resolution on the economic situation and adjustment process in sub-Saharan Africa; the European volunteer service; a report on financial and technical cooperation with developing Asian and Latin American countries from 1976 to 1986 and UNGA's mid-term review of the critical situation in sub-Saharan Africa. The Council will also review the first year of the operation of COMPEX, the system for compensating less developed countries not signatory to the ACP-EEC convention for loss of export earnings; and progress on food strategies.