The Premier is desperate to mark his EC presidency with a British led Euro-recovery plan.

The deal, announced by Mr Major in the Commons last week, is designed to answer Labour accusations that his six-month EC presidency has done nothing for jobs.

On Oct. 28 the Netherlands as current holders of the EC presidency tabled a revised draft treaty on economic and monetary union (EMU).

With Portugal due to assume the EC presidency for the first time in January 1992 a change of leadership would be badly received abroad, he claimed.

Ireland, in its fourth EC presidency, is espousing the European ideal as a model for Irish unity.

But Britain, currently holding the EC presidency, plans to oppose a ban in Brussels next week - and the other 11 governments are expected to agree.

Major - current holder of the rotating EC presidency - had hoped to keep the summit plans secret until after tomorrow's French referendum on the Maastricht Treaty.

The conference was hosted by the UK government, as the incumbent of the EC presidency.

In July Britain takes over the EC presidency.

From July to December, for a start, the rapidly arranged Festival of Europe (£6 million extra cash) will mark Britain's EC presidency.