§ Ms QuinTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Internal Market Council of 11 November.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and the decisions taken, indicating the voting record of member states, at the European Trade Council on 11 November.
§ Mr. NeedhamMy noble Friend the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms attended the second Internal Market Council of the Belgian Presidency in Brussels on 11 November.
The Council formally adopted without change all three food additive common positions—colours, additives and sweeteners—agreed at the Internal Market Council on 27 September. It also agreed a common position on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres.
A common position was adopted unanimously on the amendment to directive 83/189/EEC on the provision of information on technical standards and regulations.
A common position was adopted on the footwear labelling directive which will allow manufacturers a choice between pictograms and textual labelling. Germany voted against and the Netherlands abstained.
A resolution for a more global approach to the problems of small and medium-sized enterprises was agreed in principle. The resolution also commits the Council to hold an annual debate on enterprise policy in the Community, particularly with regard to SMEs. A wide-ranging televised open debate included discussion on improving SMEs' access to finance and Community R and D programmes.
The Council was unable to reach agreement on a Presidency compromise proposal on the language regime for the Community Trade Mark Office to implement the European Council decision on a five language regime. The Presidency is to reflect further on the matter.
The Commission presented a proposal for a new regulation laying down improved measures to prohibit the import, transit or export of counterfeit or pirated goods. The Presidency agreed that the regulation would, if possible, be discussed at the 16 December Internal Market Council.
The Commission circulated new implementation figures and highlighted the overall improvement in implementation of single market measures this year. The United Kingdom is in second place with implementation of 91.5 per cent., two points behind Denmark.
The next formal meeting of the Council will take place on 16 December.