§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a table showing, from the date of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community, the member states which have occupied the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and that of the European summit, indicating periods and dates for the occupancy of each.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information requested is as follows:
Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Community 1973 1981 Belgium Netherlands Denmark United Kingdom 1974 1982 Federal Republic of Belgium Germany Denmark France 1983 1975 Federal Republic of Ireland Germany Italy Greece 1976 1984 Luxembourg France Netherlands Ireland 1977 1985 United Kingdom Italy Belgium Luxembourg 1978 1986 Denmark Netherlands Federal Republic of United Kingdom Germany 1987 1979 Belgium France Denmark Ireland 1988 1980 Federal Republic of Italy Germany Luxembourg Greece The first Presidency of each year is from 1 January to 30 June, and the second from 1 July to 31 December. The President of the Council of Ministers chairs the European Council.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the number of times the Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium and Denmark have chaired the Council of Ministers and the European summit since 1972; and if he will indicate for each period the issues addressed and conclusions reached by the Community.
§ Mrs. ChalkerSince 1972 Belgium, Denmark and Luxembourg have each held the office of President of the Council of Ministers on four different occasions: Ireland has held it on three. The member state holding this office chairs the European Council. The issues addressed and the conclusions reached at the European Council are contained in Prime Ministers' statements to the House and in the European Communities series of White Papers on developments in the European Community.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on according to small member218W states of the European Community similar rights to large member states to act as President of the Community and to chair the Council of Ministers and European summits.
§ Mrs. ChalkerOn acceding to the treaty of Rome the United Kingdom fully accepted its provisions. The treaty states that the office of President of the Council shall be held for a term of six months by each member in turn.