HC Deb 09 May 1989 vol 152 cc372-3W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the European Community meetings on matters concerning his Department held in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

Mr. Ryder

[holding answer 8 May 1989]: The Agriculture Council met on 14 occasions in 1985, 11 in 1986, 13 in 1987 (including one held jointly with Economic and Finance Ministers) and 13 in 1988.

There were also occasional informal meetings of Agriculture Ministers. The Fisheries Council met on four occasions in 1985, five in 1986, two in 1987 and five in 1988. Also, at certain meetings of the Internal Market Council in 1988, a number of food items relevant to the single market were discussed. In addition there were numerous meetings of officials. Information on the number of such meetings could only be provided at disproportionate cost.