HL Deb 01 November 1995 vol 566 cc161-4WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Subject: Monthly forecast of business for November 1995

1. The following Councils are scheduled:

  • November 6: Industry Council
  • November 7: Industry Council
  • November 9: Consumers Council
  • November 13: Agriculture Council
  • November 14: Agriculture Council
  • November 15: Fisheries Council
  • November 17: Budget Council
  • November 20: FAC, Culture Council
  • November 21: FAC
  • November 23: Internal Market Council Justice Council
  • November 24: Justice Council
  • November 27: ECOFIN Council Telecoms Council
  • November 30: Health Council

2. The following items are likely to be discussed:

Monday 6 November, Industry Council Agenda

SME policy: oral presentation by Commission of

  1. (a) Communication on EU strategy for SMEs.
  2. (b) Communication on European secondary capital market for SMEs.

  • SMEs and innovation technology—Council resolution.
  • Community action programme for competitiveness of EU industry: Council decision.
  • Services to business and industrial competitiveness: Council resolution.
  • Industrial aspects of the Information Society: Council resolution.
    • WA 162
  • Industrial co-operation with other regions and third countries—Council conclusions.
  • Competitiveness of European machine construction industry—Council resolution.
  • Effect of Uruguay round on textile industry—(possible) Council conclusions.
  • European policy for promotion of quality—oral Commission report.
  • Industry and research—oral Commission report on task-forces.

Tuesday 7 November, Industry Council Agenda

  • Competition policy and industrial competitiveness:
  • Commission presentation on aspects of competition policy which affect industry.
  • State Aid for shipbuilding—proposal for Council regulation implementing OECD rules.
  • Steel: monitoring report and opinions on Irish Steel and Austrian iron ore mines.

Thursday 9 November, Consumer Council Agenda

  • Proposed Directive on the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs.
  • Amended proposal for a directive on comparative advertising: possible common position.
  • Proposed directive on unit pricing: orientation debate.
  • Proposed directive on markings appearing on the labelling of foodstuffs.
  • Proposed directive on guarantees for consumer goods: Commission presentation.
  • Access to justice: Commission presentation.
  • Consumer education: Council resolution.
  • Commission action plan on consumer protection and information 1995–1999: Commission presentation.
  • Commission report on the implementation of the Council Directive on consumer credit: Council conclusions.
  • Advertising products and services attributing health benefits (miracle products): Council resolution.

Monday/Tuesday 13–14 November, Agricultural Council Agenda

  • Legislative changes to maximum residue limit Directives (possible).
  • Feeding stuffs (possible).
  • Meat products (possible).
  • Set-aside.
  • Reform of the fruit and vegetable regime.
  • Reform of the rice regime.

Wednesday 15 November, Fisheries Council

Likelihood that it will be cancelled but if it goes ahead it will deal with the annual price and market regime proposals.

Friday 17 November, Budget Council Agenda

Second reading of the 1996 draft budget.

Monday 20 November, Culture Council and Foreign Affairs Council

Agendas not yet available.

Thursday 23 November, Internal Market Council

Agenda not yet available but likely to include inter alia:

  • Functioning of the internal market (Commission report).
  • Citizens First (open debate).
  • Monitor Report (follow up).
  • Joint meeting with Central and Eastern Europeans (over lunch).
  • Pressure equipment (common position—possible A point).
  • Customs 2000 (common position).
  • Public procurement (state of progress/orientation debate).
  • Tourism statistics directive (adoption).
  • Motorcycle multichapter directive (common position—possible A point).
  • Flavourings.
  • Food of particular nutritional uses (PARNUTS).
  • Mineral waters.
  • Amendment to labelling Directive (poss).

Thursday/Friday 23–24 November, Justice Council

Agenda not yet available.

Monday 27 November, ECOFIN Council Agenda

  • Cross Border Credit Transfers (probable A point).
  • Preparation of stage 3 of EMU.
  • Employment policy—preparation of Madrid European Council.
  • Multilateral surveillance.
  • Fraud: reports from member states—preparation of Madrid European Council.
  • Loan Guarantee Fund (possible).
  • Bank Winding Up Directive (possible).

Monday 27 November, Telecoms Council Agenda

Expected Agenda:

  • Directive on Interconnection—orientation debate.
  • Draft Article 90 Commission Directives amending Directive 90/388/EEC

(a) with regard to mobile and personal communications and (b) regarding the implementation of full competition in telecoms markets—debate and possible Council conclusions.

  • Directive on application of ONP (Open Network Provision) to voice telephony—final adoption (possible).
  • Directive on Data Protection in telecoms sector—common position (possible).
  • Decisions on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks—common position.
  • Decision on INFO 2000 programme concerning multimedia content—common position (possible).
    • WA 164
  • Directive on development of Community postal services—orientation debate or political agreement.
  • WTO discussions—Commission oral report.

Thursday 30 November, Health Council

Agenda not yet available.