HC Deb 11 June 1996 vol 279 c75W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy not to relax the policy of non-co-operation with the EU and its institutions until the EU world-wide ban on exports of British beef has been lifted. [32181]

The Prime Minister

I made it clear in my statement of 21 May,Official Report, columns 99–101, that progress would not be possible in the intergovernmental conference or elsewhere until we had agreement on the lifting of the ban on beef derivatives—which we have now achieved— and a clear framework for the lifting of the wider ban.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the membership of the group set up to oversee the policy of non-co-operation with the EU; how often it is planned that it should meet; and if he will make a statement. [31221]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 7 June 1996]: A committee meets regularly under my chairmanship to oversee the policy of non-co-operation. Members of the Committee include the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for Agriculture. Other Ministers are invited as appropriate.

I welcome the decision taken by the Commission on 5 June to lift the ban on beef derivatives with effect from 10 June. We now need early progress on agreement on a framework to lift the wider ban.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions on which the United Kingdom has not co-operated with the European Union nations since he made his oral statement on 21 May,Official Report, columns 99–101; and if he will make a statement. [31222]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 7 June 1996]: I made it clear in my statement of 21 May, Official Report, columns 99–101, that we would not be able to agree decisions requiring unanimity until the ban on beef derivatives was lifted and we have an agreement on a framework for the lifting of the wider ban.

I welcome the decision taken by the Commission on 5 June to lift the ban on beef derivatives with effect from 10 June. We now need early progress on agreement on a framework to lift the wider ban.

Since my statement on 21 May we have withheld agreement on over 60 measures at various EC meetings.