§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what matters were discussed and what decisions taken at the European council meeting on the workings of the internal market in Brussels on 10 March.
§ Mr. Neil Hamilton[holding answer 11 March 1994]: I attended the first Internal Market Council—IMC—of the Greek presidency in Brussels on 10 March 1994.
Common positions on proposals on food additives other than colours and sweeteners; the application of open network provision to voice telephony; and extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients were agreed as A points.
An amendment to directive 83/189 on technical standards and a proposal on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres were finally adopted as A points.
This was a debate on the progress of follow-up work on the Commission's strategic programme for the internal 45W market including Commission proposals on administrative co-operation and the management of the mutual recognition of national rules. The Committee of Permanent Representatives—Coreper—was asked to prepare substantive conclusions for discussion at the IMC in June.
The proposed counterfeit goods regulation was remitted to Coreper for further discussion of the legal base.
There was an orientation debate on a proposed regulation to establish the free circulation of novel foods within the single market. The proposal was remitted to Coreper for further detailed work.
The next meeting of the Council is planned for 16 June 1994.