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Written Answers
Wednesday, 18th December 1996.
Afghanistan: EU Arms Embargo
The Earl of Munster asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What will be the result of the recent adoption by the European Union of a Common Position on the supply of arms to Afghanistan.
Lord Chesham: At the UK's instigation and consistent with the UK's policy of supporting the UN's efforts to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan, the EU adopted a Common Position on an arms embargo on Afghanistan on 17th December. The embargo prohibits the export to Afghanistan of all items listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended--i.e. arms, munitions and military equipment. The embargo also covers contracts entered into prior to the adoption of the embargo. The EU will seek to align the countries associated with the EU with this Common Position and will also deploy efforts to encourage other countries to adopt a similar policy of restraint. Her Majesty's Government will continue to consider, on a case by case basis, all export licence applications. This will ensure that the export of goods intended for humanitarian operations is not prohibited.
Caribbean Dependent Territories
Lord Burnham asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What plans they have for their future constitutional relationship with the five remaining Caribbean Dependent Territories.
Lord Chesham: In the light of recent experience, we examined actual or potential problems in the five Caribbean Dependent Territories. Considerable improvements are being made in the administration of the territories and their good government. However, it has become clear that some extension of those powers which may be exercised by the Government may be needed. We will take this into account in our continuing discussions with each of the five governments concerned and make any changes if and when necessary. We attach importance to our continuing friendship and close co-operation with the territories in the interests of their well-being and future prosperity.
European Union: Six-monthly Business Forecast
Lord Willoughby de Broke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for January, and to list major EU events for the next six months.
Lord Chesham: Monthly forecast of business for January 1997
The following Councils are scheduled:
- January 7th: Fisheries Council
- January 20th: General Affairs Council
- January 20th: Agriculture Council
- January 21st: General Affairs Council
- January 27th: Ecofin Council
- January 31st: Transport Council (Informal)
This Council will only take place if the December Council fails to agree on the following item:
- TACs and quotas.
January 20th/21st: General Affairs Council
Identification and registration of bovine animals
Veterinary and phytosanitary equivalence agreement
(possible item). January 27th: ECOFIN Council
Presentation of the Dutch Presidency
Structured dialogue with Ministers from the CEECs
Follow-up to the Dublin European Council:
- Preparation of Stage 3 of EMU;
- Employment.
Macrofinancial assistance to Ukraine (possible item).
Georgia, Armenia and Tadjikstan (possible item).
Renewal of EIB lending envelopes (possible item).
Appointment of EC Jury for coin competition
- Lunch: With Minister of Finance of the CEECs and the Baltics;
- Coffee: Briefing on IGC.
January 31st: Transport Council (Informal)
This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also
included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.| Date | Location | Event |
| January 1997 | ||
| 1st | Dutch Presidency begins | |
| 7th | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
| 9th-10th | The Hague | Political Committee |
| 13th-17th | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 20th-21st | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 20th-21st | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 23rd-25th | Amsterdam | Conference on Social Policy |
| 27th | Brussels | Ecofin Council (tbc) |
| 29th-30th | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary |
| 30th-31st | The Hague | Opening of "European Year Against Racism" |
| 31st | Amsterdam | Transport Council (Informal) |
| February 1997 | ||
| 1st | Amsterdam | Transport Council (Informal) |
| 1st-2nd | The Hague | Economic Affairs Council (Informal) |
| 5th-6th | Noordwijk | Justice & Home Affairs Council (Informal) |
| 6th | Brussels | Political Committee |
| 17th | Brussels | Political Committee |
| 17th | Brussels | Ecofin Council |
| 17th | Qatar | EU/GCC Conference |
| 17th-18th | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 17th-21st | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 24th-25th | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 26th | Brussels | EU/San Jos Conference |
| 28th | Amsterdam | Development Council (Informal) |
| March 1997 | ||
| 1st-2nd | Amsterdam | Development Council (Informal) |
| 3rd | Amsterdam | Education Council (Informal) |
| 3rd-4th | Brussels | Environment Council |
| 6th | Brussels | Telecommunications Council |
| 10th | Brussels | Internal Market Council |
| 10th-14th | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 11th-12th | Brussels | Transport Council |
| 13th | Brussels | Political Committee |
| 14th-15th | Rotterdam | Social Affairs Council (Informal) |
| 15th-16th | Apeldoorn | Gymnich (Informal) |
| 17th | Brussels | Ecofin Council |
| 17th-19th | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 18th-19th | Brussels | Justice & Home Affairs Council |
| 24th-25th | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 25th | Rome | Informal IGC Ministerial |
| April 1997 | ||
| 4th-6th | Noordwijk | Ecofin Council (Informal) |
| 6th-8th | Maastricht | Culture Council (Informal) |
| 7th-8th | Noordwijk | EU/Rio Group |
| 7th-10th | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 9th-11th | The Hague | Social Integration Conference |
| 10th | Brussels | Political Committee |
| 10th | Luxembourg | Consumer Council |
| 14th-15th | Luxembourg | Fisheries Council |
| 17th | Luxembourg | Social Affairs Council |
| 17th-18th | Maastricht | Ministerial Conference on EC aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries post-Lome IV |
| 18th-20th | Amsterdam | Environment Council (Informal) |
| 21st-22nd | The Netherlands | Political Committee |
| 21st-22nd | Luxembourg | Agriculture Council |
| 23rd | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary |
| 24th | Luxembourg | Industry Council |
| 24th-25th | Luxembourg | ACP/EU Ministerial Conference |
| 25th | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary |
| 29th-30th | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council |
| May 1997 | ||
| 5th | Brussels | General Affairs Council (tbc) |
| 6th-7th | Strasbourg | Council of Europe Ministerial |
| 12th | Brussels | Ecofin Council |
| 12th-13th | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 12th-13th | Paris | WEU Ministerial |
| 12th-16th | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 14th-15th | Brussels | Research Council |
| 15th | Brussels | Political Committee |
| 20th | Brussels | Internal Market Council |
| 22nd | Brussels | Political Committee |
| 25th-27th | Middelburg | Agriculture Council (Informal) |
| 26th | Brussels | Energy Council |
| 27th-28th | Brussels | Justice & Home Affairs Council |
| 28th-29th | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary |
| 29th | Brussels | Telecommunications Council |
| June 1997 | ||
| 2nd-3rd | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council |
| 5th | Luxembourg | Health Council |
| 5th | Luxembourg | Development Council |
| 8th-10th | Noordwijk | Environmental Planning Conference |
| 9th | Luxembourg | Ecofin Council |
| 9th-10th | Luxembourg | Agriculture Council |
| 9th-13th | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 10th | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council (tbc) |
| 12th | Luxembourg | Social Affairs Council |
| 16th-17th | Amsterdam | European Council |
| 17th-18th | Luxembourg | Transport Council |
| 19th | Brussels | Political Committee |
| 19th | Luxembourg | Fisheries Council |
| 23rd | Luxembourg | Ecofin Council (tbc) |
| 23rd-24th | Luxembourg | Environment Council |
| 25th-26th | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary |
| 26th | Luxembourg | Education Council |
| 30th | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council |
| 30th | Luxembourg | Culture Council |
Privatisations: Market Stabilisation Operations
Lord Spens asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they are satisfied that share-price support operations or market stabilisation operations following privatisation issues do not create a "false market", and if so, what are the reasons for their view.
The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish): The stabilisation arrangements put in place in respect of government share sales are set out in the relevant prospectuses. Any stabilisation transactions have been carried out by the global co-ordinators of the share sales, in accordance with rules laid down by the Securities and Investments Board (SIB), under Section 48 of the Financial Services Act (FSA).
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