THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTVS GOVERNMENT Copy No. 60 CABINET INDEX OF CABINET CONCLUSIONS April-December 1976 (CM (76) lst-43rd Meetings) Notes: References to CM (76) Minutes are shown ttaos-1 (1). References to CP (76) Memoranda are shown thus—CP 1. References in italics are to Memoranda not discussed by Cabinet. THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTVS GOVERNMENT Copy No. 6 0 CABINET INDEX OF CABINET CONCLUSIONS April-December 1976 (CM (76) lst-43rd Meetings) Notes : References to CM (76) Minutes are shown thus—1 (1). References to CP (76) Memoranda are shown thus- CP 1. References inftaticg are to Memoranda net (Hscnned by Cabinet. SUBJECT INDEX (CM (76) lst-43rd Meetings) A ADMINISTRATION Change of administration: statement by the Prime Minister 1 (1). AIRCRAFT AND SHIPBUILDING See BILLS. ANGOLA Official observer attending the trial of the mercenaries in Luanda 8 (2). Unofficial group of British lawyers participating in the defence of the British mercenaries 10(3). BILLS Legislative Programme 1976-11: discussion of priorities of departments individual Bills CP 13 5 (1). AIRCRAFT AND SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES BILL Report Stage 7(1). Difficulties due to minority position, further proposals to be explored 10 (2). Proposed opposition motion before the debate to recommit the Bill to a Select Committee to be debated 28 June tl (1). Proposed timetable motion; arrangements for completion of Bill 15 (1) 20 (1). Trade Union recognition; report stage amendment by backbenchers. Amendment supporters to be told the general problem of recognition was being studied and proposals for a solution forthcoming 21 (1). Timetable motion 30 (1). Lords amendment to exclude ship-repairing to be rejected 32 (1). Second Reading 34(1). DOCKWORK. REGULATION AND HEALTH SERVICES BILL Proposed timetable motion 15(1). 30(1). Lords amendments 31 (1). EDUCATION BILL Proposed timetable motion 15 (1). Lords amendments rejected: Bill may be remtroduced next session if Lords press their amendments 32(1). FINANCE BILL Second Reading debate 20 (1). HEALTH SERVICES BILL N o attempt to complete Report State and Third Reading in the week of 2 August 16 (2). Timetable motion 30 (1). POLICE BILL Commons consideration of Lords amendments desirable so that the Bill can receive the Royal Assent before the recess 21 (1). SECttET BILL S (continued) RENT (AGRICULTURE) BILL Proposed timetable motion 15 (1), 30(1). SCOTLAND AND WALES BILL The English dimension; document to be published before the second reading CP 120 36(3). SOCIAL SECURITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL Second Reading 34(1). Committee Stage handling CP 136, 42 (5). WEIGHTS AND MEASURES BILL Weights and Measures (No. 2) Bill to be introduced in the House of Lords 7 (1). BONN VISIT Report by the Prime Minister on his visit to Bonn 12 (2). BRITAIN AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY See EEC. c CABINET Press leak in The Times and limitation of circulation of Cabinet Memoranda and Minutes 3 (2), 7 (4). Article on Child Benefit in New Society: proposed action to be taken 10 (1). Prime Minister to make statement in House 12(1). New Cabinet: statement by the Prime Minister 24(1). 48 Hour Rule 42(3). Strategy and priorities CP 36. CANE SUGAR REFINING INDUSTRY No aspect of Tate and Lyle's takeover bid for Manbre and Garton to be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission but future merger policy to be reviewed in the light of accession to the European Economic Community CP 74, CP 75, 23(2). CHILD BENEFIT See SOCIAL SERVICES : CABINET. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT 1969 White Paper CP 23. CHILE Supply of arms-policy towards Chile 10(3). CHINA Report by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on his visit to China 4 (2). Death of Mao Tse-tung: period of uncertainty expected 21 (1). CIVIL SERVICE See also UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE. Reduction in numbers of civil servants in 1978-79; Lord Privy Seal to undertake bilateral discussions with spending Ministers and to report back to Cabinet: legislative implications, improvement of civil service working methods CP 9, CP 10, 4 (3). Staff reductions agreed but further options still being examined on proposals to abolish Vehicle Excise Duty; consideration of the subject to be resumed CP 39, CP 41. CP 45 14(4). Statement to be made on cuts; no decision to be taken on Vehicle Excise Duty for the time being CP 39, CP 59, 21 (3). Dispersal; no departure from original programme: adjustments to be considered by Ministers CP 104, CP 105, CP 106, 40 (3). SECRET 176346 B* COUNCIL HOUSES See PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. COUNTER INFLATION POLICY Budget proposals of tax relief on low pay limit; Ministers to support the Chancellor of the Exchequers proposals in speeches 1 (4). White Paper to be published CP 33, 11 (3). CYPRUS Debate on Select Committee Report 6(1). D DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS White Paper: Licensing and Supervision CP 68. DEVOLUTION Parliamentary Statement approved CP 22. 7 (3). Supplementary White Paper approved CP 63, 21 (5). Devolution and England: publication of document before second reading of Scotland and Wales BUI CP 120. 36 (3). Post-Assent referenda to be held in Scotland and Wales; announcement to be made CP 130, 40(2). Referenda: statement to be made on the second reading of the Bill CP 134, CP 13S, 42(4). The English dimension CP 128. DROUGHT Legislation to provide more adequate powers to control the use of water CP 38, 12(4). E ECONOMIC SITUATION Group of Ten arrange to support sterling; public expenditure policy proposals might be accelerated: Ministers speeches on the economy to be cleared with the Chancellor of the Exchequer 8 (3). ECONOMIC SUMMIT N o important decisions expected to emerge from the summit meeting to be held at Puerto Rico 11 (2). Prime Ministers Report 12 (2). ELECTORAL LAW Speakers Conference; electoral reform and distribution of seats to be excluded from terms of reference: composition of the conference CP37, 12(3). EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC) See also PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS. ELECTORAL LAW. SOUTH AFRICA. Measures on skimmed milk powder and aid for storage of vegetable proteins 1 (2). European Council: preparation for Tripartite Conference, further consideration of seats allocated to member states; no conclusion reached on Tindemans' Report 1 (3). Enlargement of the Community CP 28, CP 29, 9(1). Tindemans' Report CP 26, CP 38, 9 (1). EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (continued) British Presidency-minorities to submit report C 30 9(1). Long Term objectives; Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to submit a further memorandum C 36, 9 (I). Improvements sought in the procedure for fixing Community farm prices CP 31, 9(2). Direct Elections; negotiations to continue on lines set out in Green Paper; Select Committee report to be considered by Parliament CP 25, 9 (3). Proposals for the design of the EEC uniform passport; design agreed CP 27, 9 (4). Direct Elections; Select Committee recommendations and Green Paper proposals accepted CP 46, 14 (2). Prime Ministers Statement on the meetings of the European Council on 12-13 July 15 (2). Progress made in extending fishing limits to 200 miles; proposed tax on vegetable oils and fats opposed: proposals for a sheepmeat regime inconclusive 20 (2). Timetable for direct elections: compromise proposal agreed CP 61, 21 (6). Direct Elections to the European Assembly; legislation to be introduced in the next session; allocation of seats; constituency boundaries; Northern Ireland electoral system to enable a Catholic to be elected CP 88, 27(5). EEC-United Kingdom Presidency: handling of the Presidency and the general approach to be adopted CP 92. CP 93, CP 94, 29 (4), Proposed uniform EEC passport agreed CP 100, 31 (5). Common Agricultural Policy: short and long term strategy CP 112, 34 (2). European Council Meeting 29-30 November: statement by the Prime Minister 36 (2). Developments in the European Communities November 1975-April 1976 CP 24. Developments in the European Communities May-November 1976 CP 129. EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE White Paper on Postgraduate Education CP 69. F FALKLAND ISLANDS Shackleton Report recommendations: feasibility studies to be commissioned. Minister to visit area for consultations with Islanders and the Argentines to see whether there was a possibility of joint talks 42 (2). FINANCIAL AID TO POLITICAL PARTIES Houghton Committee Report CP 71. FOREIGN AFFAIRS Meetings of Council of Ministers 42 (2). FRANCE Report of the Prime Ministers talks with President Giscard d'Estaing 11 (2). FRANK'S COMMITTEE REPORT See OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT. G GENETIC MANIPULATION White Paper CP 70. H HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK Further examination of estimates of cost and consultation with the local authorities: discussion to be resumed CP 73, 23 (3). Working group of Officers to examine costs of supplementing regulations CP 78, 24 (5). Regulations not to be brought into effect in 1977-78 CP 103, 32 (6). 176346 B*2 HOUGHTON REPORT See OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS. HUMAN RIGHTS Discussion document to be published 8 (4). Ratification of the international covenants on human rights; independent schools; no reserva­ tion to be made retaining the option of abolishing independent schools CP 14, 6 (2). I ICELAND Norwegian mediation unlikely to be successful; Ministerial Group undecided about designated fishing areas 2 (2). Statement by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on his informal discussions with the Icelandic Prime Minister and Foreign Minister 7 (2). Termination of fishing rights under the Oslo Agreement 32 (2). INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS N o reservation in regard to Article 13 of the International Covenants on Human Rights CP 14. 6 (2). INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT AND POST OFFICE INVESTMENT See PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. INDUSTRY—ASSISTANCE TO See REGIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY. INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND NEGOTIATIONS (IMF) Course of action; proposals 34 (3).