§ 34. Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet his counterparts in the European Community.
§ Mr. MaudeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs expects to meet his EC colleagues at the European Council in Strasbourg on 8 to 9 December.
§ 35. Mr. AitkenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many draft and 319W final European Community directives, regulations and decisions have been published by the Commission since 31 November 1988; approximately how many pages this represents; and if he has any plans to improve scrutiny of European Community documents in future.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Commission have been asked for information on the number of formal proposals issued during the period. When this is available it will be passed to my hon. Friend.
Effective scrutiny is essential. The Government will consider the Procedure Committee's forthcoming report with care and sympathy.
§ 41. Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom's priority at the forthcoming Heads of Government meeting in Strasbourg.
§ Mr. MaudeWe hope the European Council will ensure sustained progress on measures necessary for the Community's healthy internal development, and effective Community support for emerging democracies in eastern Europe.
§ 58. Mr. MoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the enlargement of the European Community.
§ Mr. MaudeAccording to the EEC treaty, any European state may apply to become a member of the Community. We agree with the consensus in the Community that the emphasis—until at least 1993—must be on consolidation, not enlargement. The Community's priority must be completion of the single market.
§ 69. Mr. McKelveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his counterparts in the European Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Foreign Affairs Council met in Brussels on 27 November. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development and I represented the United Kingdom.
The Council discussed preparations for the Strasbourg European Council on 8–9 December. The Council confirmed its agreement to a further package of trade measures for Poland and Hungary and agreed in principle to a draft Commission regulation on the disbursement of 300 mecu of assistance to the two countries. The Council welcomed a Commission report on progress made in exploratory discussions with EFTA on strengthening EC-EFTA relations: the United Kingdom and other member states now look forward to a joint EC-EFTA ministerial meeting on 19 December. The Council took note of a paper presented by the Commission on future relations between the Community and Mediterranean countries, which was remitted for further study. In the margins of the Council, a meeting of the EC-Yugoslavia Co-operation Council took place, and the Community expressed its support for the process of economic reform in Yugoslavia. Also in the margins, the Community position on all aspects of Lomé IV was confirmed. The non-aid elements were agreed with ACP representatives. In the framework of European political co-operation, Ministers discussed the situation in eastern Europe, the middle east, 320W southern Africa and central America, issuing a statement condemning the fresh upsurge in violence in central America. Copies of the statement have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ 115. Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been received by Her Majesty's Government, other than those in the monetary sphere, concerning institutional development of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. MaudeProposals to establish a Community trade mark office and a European environment agency are under discussion in the Council. They do not require treaty amendment.
§ 130. Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expect to meet the President of the European Commission: and if the European social charter will be discussed.
§ Mr. MaudeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will next meet the President of the Commission on 30 November in London. The European social charter may be among the subjects that they discuss.