§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Internal Market Council of 16 December, indicating the voting record of each member state on each item and where no formal votes were taken.
§ Mr. Neil Hamilton[holding answer I1 January 1994]: I attended the third Internal Market Council of the Belgian presidency in Brussels on 16 December 1993.
The following were adopted as "A" points: regulations opening and providing for the administration of community tariff quotas; regulations temporarily suspending totally or partially the autonomous duties of the common customs tariff for certain fishery products; a resolution by the Council on young drivers; and an aid to shipbuilding.
There was a debate on the Commission's strategic programme for the internal market. The United Kingdom, France and Germany stressed the importance of deregulation and subsidiarity. The Council agreed brief operational conclusions looking to the Commission to produce practical proposals to be considered by the Internal Market Council in 1994.
242WNo agreement was reached on the proposed pension fund or the insurance winding-up directives. There was a short inconclusive debate on the proposed European company statute.
The Council heard progress reports on negotiations on a proposal for a European co-operative society statute and a proposed regulation on counterfeit goods.
Political agreement was reached on legal protection of biotechnological inventions by qualified majority with Spain, Denmark and Luxembourg voting against. The United Kingdom maintained its parliamentary scrutiny reserve.
A common position was agreed on a recreational craft directive. France voted against. The United Kingdom abstained because of the coverage of second-hand boats imported from third countries.
A common position was agreed on the 14th amendment to the regulations relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substance and preparations, dealing with nickel. Entry into force will be delayed until six months after agreement on test methods by the European standards organisation, CEN. Nickel spectacle frames and buttons were excluded. Italy voted against.
Political agreement was reached by qualified majority on the food additives other than colours and sweeteners directive. Italy abstained.
There was agreement on a Council decision for the development and promotion of new systems for the interchange of commercial data. The budget for the programme was set at 20 mecu over two years. The legal base was amended to article 235 in accordance with United Kingdom wishes. The United Kingdom abstained considering that a lower budget was more appropriate.
The Commission presented a proposal for a directive on hallmarking, designed to remove barriers to trade and protect consumers. The Council agreed to work towards a common position as quickly as possible.
The next meeting of the Council is planned for 10 March 1994.