§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union. [34980]
§ Mr. David DavisThe forthcoming business will be:
- SUBJECT: MONTHLY FORECAST OF BUSINESS FOR JULY 1996
- 1. The following Councils are scheduled: 8 July: ECOFIN
- 10 July: Social Welfare (Informal)
- 11 July: Social Welfare (Informal)
- 11 July: Labour Affairs (Informal)
- 12 July: Labour Affairs (Informal)
- 15 July: General Affairs Council
- 16 July: General Affairs Council
- 19 July: Environment (Informal)
- 20 July: Environment (Informal)
199 - 22 July: Agriculture
- 23 July: Agriculture
- 25 July: Budget
- 2. The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
- 8 July: Ecofin Council
- Approval of the provisional agenda;
- Approval of the list of "A" items;
- Presentation of the Irish Presidency's ECOFIN programme: open debate;
- Follow up to the Florence European Council;
- Examination of the Austrian convergence programme;
- Excessive government deficit procedure: recommendations (a vote may be requested on this item;
- ELISE (possible item);
- New guarantee system for EIB lending to third countries (possible item);
- Preparation of structured dialogue with the CEECS;
- SEM 2000 interim report by the Commission;
- Fight against fraud: Commission's annual report 1995;
- Other business.
- ECOFIN will be followed by a meeting with CEES at 4.00 pm, and an informal dinner for CEEC Finance Ministers at 7.00 pm, hosted by the Presidency.
- 10–11 July: Social Welfare Council (informal)
- Long-term unemployment.
- 11–12 July: Labour Affairs Council (informal)
- Long-term unemployment.
- 15–16 July: General Affairs Council
- Agenda not yet available.
- 19–20 July: Environment Council (informal)
- Agenda not yet available.
- 22–23 July: Agriculture Council
- Set aside rate for 1997–98
- Arable base area flexibility
- Price fixing (possible item)
- Reform of the fruit and vegetable regime (possible item)
- Bananas (possible item)
- Plant health: solidarity and responsibility (possible item)
- BSE (possible item)
- 25 July: Budget Council
- 1997 preliminary draft budget