§ Mr. RoweTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Internal Market Council held on 8 February.
§ Mr. NeedhamI attended this first Council of the Danish presidency under the chairmanship of the new Danish Industry Minister, Mr. Troejborg. It was also the first Council for Commissioner Vanni d'Archirafi.
The meeting had a short agenda which it completed in half a day. A review of the completion of the internal market confirmed that some 95 per cent. of the original White Paper had been agreed, with few problems reported on the free movement of goods since the 1 January deadline. An updated "league table" of implementation of White Paper measures by member states showed that the United Kingdom had risen to third position, with an 85 per cent. implementation record.
There was general agreement on carrying forward the initiative on "Making the Single Market Work", in the light of the Commission's response to the Sutherland report. It is hoped that specific proposals on, for example, improving exchange of information between member states on single market issues will be considered by future Councils during the Danish presidency.
The Council adopted a regulation providing for checks for product safety at the Community's external border, as well as food law directives covering fruit juices and food contaminants. The Commission was requested by the Council to introduce specific proposals for safety standards covering motor cycle helmets, in addition to the existing powers available under the personal protective equipment directive.