§ 2.41 p.m.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government in the event of Britain joining the Common Market, what special arrangement they envisage for the protection of the Commonwealth food exports to the United Kingdom.]
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, it would not be for Her Majesty's Government alone to decide what special 611 arrangements of this kind should be made. But it has repeatedly been made clear, both by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and by others of my right honourable and honourable friends, and by noble friends in this House, that satisfactory arrangements in respect of the Commonwealth are an essential condition for a successful outcome of any negotiations which we might wish to embark upon. Commonwealth food exports to the United Kingdom would be one of the most important fields in which such arrangements would be required. But I do not think that I can say more in answer to the noble Viscount this afternoon than that my three right 'honourable friends who will be visiting Commonwealth capitals will be discussing with the other Commonwealth Governments the kinds of arrangement which might be suitable and adequate, if they could be negotiated with the members of the Community.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I do not want to pursue it at length; perhaps we could in the debate, when we have the advantage of having the Foreign Secretary present. But there is the question of what are the effects of the figures which have so far been published as to the extension of the external tariff (they are given in the Commons Hansard of May 18; and I shall be referring to them later), and whether it is protecting the Commonwealth not only against losing some part of their own market in this country but also against the general effect upon them of their business in the Common Market itself. May I take it that both questions will be considered?
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, think that both aspects are very important and will be considered. I must point out that we have the advantage of the Foreign Secretary's presence even now.