HC Deb 15 January 1992 vol 201 cc595-6W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Brussels on Thursday 19 December.

Mr. Redwood

I attended the Internal Market Council on 19 December 1991. Political agreements were reached on public procurement (services), the third non-life insurance directive and the second diplomas directive. Common positions were reached on the three remaining vehicle type approval measures, pharmaceutical patent protection and homeopathic medicines. Also, final agreement was reached on insurance accounts, insurance committees, and common positions on sweeteners, two and three-wheeled vehicles and hot water boilers.

The council also held policy discussions on food irradiation and the Berne and Paris conventions along with brief progress reports on border controls, the future medicinal systems, the CE mark and data protection. The council also agree to reject a request for talks on Commission staff pay.