§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Internal Market Council, held on 23 November, giving details of all votes and all decisions which were determined by unanimity or without dissension. [1599]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 27 November 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the deputy UK permanent representative represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Brussels on 23 November.
The council reached unanimous political agreement on the customs 2000 programme on which Germany abstained, and on the flavourings directive, on which France abstained. The required simple majority were in favour of the directive on collection of statistical information in the field of tourism, which Germany opposed. Political agreement was reached on the draft directives amending public procurement directives, though a common position awaits the European Parliament's opinion.
The council also agreed common positions on the pressure equipment directive, on which Italy abstained, and on the motor-cycle multi chapter directive, which Austria opposed. Although the UK voted against, political agreement was reached on the mineral water proposal. Denmark and Sweden also voted against and the Netherlands abstained.
There was also an informal lunchtime discussion with Ministers from central and eastern European countries.