§ Dr. BlackburnTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will report on the meeting of EC/EFTA Ministers and the Internal Market Council held on 2 February.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe meeting of the European Community and European Free Trade Association Ministers re-affirmed the European Community's commitment to strengthen mutual co-operation with the European Free Trade Association in tackling barriers to trade at the same time as the Community makes progress on completion of its single market. European Community and European Free Trade Association Ministers also agreed a joint statement highlighting specific areas for action in the coming months. This gives priority to tackling problems of direct concern to industry, notably in the area of technical standards, origin documentation, and co-operation against counterfeiting.
A meeting of the Internal Market Council followed, which considered proposals for a Community patent conversion and a regulation to establish a Community trade mark system. Technical issues will be pursued by the presidency and the Commission, and at working group level, with a view to further discussion at a forthcoming Council.