Council of Ministers (Hansard, 10 January 1989)

§ Mr. Spearing
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions since July 1988 when representatives of Her Majesty's Government in the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community were given notice by the presidency of that body to reach either a common policy or find agreement on a legislative proposal at less than one week's notice, together with details of the respective proposals, meetings and periods of notice given.

§ Mrs. Chalker
The presidency has, in accordance with the rules of procedure, circulated provisional agendas for each council meeting to the other members of the Council and to the Commission at least 14 days before the date of each meeting. Exceptions to this procedure can be made only by unanimous agreement of the Council.
A detailed analysis of all agenda items considered at more than 30 Council meetings could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Page
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.

§ Mr. Chalker
The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present three meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned in January.
495W
The Agriculture Council will be held on 23 January. It is likely that the following subjects will be discussed: income aids, reform of the beef (and possibly also the sheepmeat) regime, milk quotas, agrimonetary questions, aid to small cereals producers, tree nuts and possibly the labelling of spirit drinks. The Commission is also expected to introduce its 1989 price-fixing proposals.
The Foreign Affairs Council on 23/24 January will include a review of the dispute with the United States on hormones, preparations for the EC/ACP Council of Ministers meeting in Brazzaville on 16/17 February at which negotiations on a successor to the present Lo[...]e convention will continue, and discussion of relations with the Council of Europe. There will also be further discussion of new financial protocols for Cyprus and Malta.
The Internal Market Council on 30 January will discuss further measures relevant to the completion of the single market.