§ 50. Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 5W Affairs what views have been stated by all parties to the European Economic Community negotiations on whether New Zealand exports of dairy products to the United Kingdom should continue indefinitely at approximately the present volume.
§ Mr. RipponHer Majesty's Government has made proposals to the European Economic Community for continuing arrangements, subject to review, for the export of New Zealand dairy products to an enlarged Community. The European Economic Community has not yet responded to these proposals.
§ 51. Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community.
§ 66. Mr. Mayhewasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponI have nothing to add to my statement of 18th March.—[Vol. 813, c. 1659–62.]
§ 57. Mr. Carterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what suggestions he has now made in the current negotiations concerning the length of a transitional period before the United Kingdom has to adopt the European Economic Community common fisheries policy.
§ Mr. RipponThe Government have not so far put proposals to the European Economic Community on the common fisheries policy. The Government have reserved their position on that policy, and are proceeding with a detailed examination of the national and regional implications of the policy, certain details of which have not yet been formulated.
§ 64. Dr. Gilbertasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the officials of the Commission of the European Economic Community and of the member Governments of the European Economic Community to which the answers submitted by Her 6W Majesty's Government with respect to the questionnaire on the United Kingdom's economic prospects of the future role of sterling were asked to treat those answers as confidential.
§ Mr. RipponYes.
§ 65. Dr. Gilbertasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will institute an inquiry into the leakage of information in the week ended 26th February, 1971, with respect to the answers submitted to the European Economic Community's questionnaire on the United Kingdom's economic prospects of the future role of sterling.
§ Mr. RipponNo. I am satisfied that what has appeared in the Press on this subject did not leak from a British source.
§ 68. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the contribution to Le Figaro on 19th February, 1971, by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community was made with his authority.
§ Mr. RipponYes.
§ 71. Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will next attend meetings of the ten Foreign Ministers of the European Economic Community and applicant countries.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe next meeting of the ten Foreign Ministers of the European Economic Community and applicant countries is planned for 18th May. I hope to attend.
§ 72. Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the visit to London of Dr. Malfatti, President of the Commission of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponDr. Malfatti, President of the Commission of the European Communities, visited London from 2nd to 5th March. During his visit he met Her Majesty The Queen, my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State, and the Leader of Her Majesty's 7W Opposition as well as myself. He also had meetings with the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress. There was a very useful exchange of views on subjects connected with Her Majesty's Government's application for entry into the European Communities.
§ 73. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has made to publicise Her Majesty's Government's policy on entry into the European Economic Community in the countries of the Community.
§ Mr. RipponThe full range of Her Majesty's Government's Overseas Information Services is available for this purpose.
§ 79. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which developing countries he has now had discussions concerning the implications for their development policies if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponHer Majesty's Government has had full discussions, which have in most cases included discussion of development policies, with many members of the Commonwealth on the implications of Britain's membership of the European Economic Community. There was also opportunity at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference for all Commonwealth Governments to raise this subject, and the representatives of several Governments did so.
§ 83. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the attitude being adopted by the French delegates to the European Economic Community negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the Common Market as expressed in Brussels on Tuesday, 2nd February, he will give the reasons why he will not withdraw Great Britain's application and cease negotiations for any terms of entry.
§ Mr. RipponHer Majesty's Government continue to believe that entry to the European Communities, if it can be8W achieved on satisfactory terms, is the right course. We believe that it is entirely reasonable and possible that we should reach agreement on the main issues at or shortly after the next Ministerial meeting.
§ 84. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now give an estimate whether the negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community are proceeding speedily enough to ensure that Her Majesty's Government will be able to put before Parliament full details of possible terms and conditions of entry before the commencement of the summer recess; and whether, as an interim, he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full list of all conditions of entry which Her Majesty's Government have so far accepted.
§ Mr. RipponWe believe that it is possible that agreement on the main issues should be reached at or shortly after the next Ministerial meeting. In answer to the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my periodic statements on the negotiations.
§ 88. Mr. Peter Archerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the present progress of the negotiations relating to Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponI have nothing to add to my statement of 18th March.—[Vol. 813, c. 1659–62.]
§ 90. Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of recent developments in Norway, he will initiate joint talks with that country and with Eire and Denmark in order to discuss alternatives to entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponNo.
§ 91. Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will have further talks with the new Norwegian Government in regard to the application by both countries to join the European Economic 9W Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponWe are in regular contact with the Norwegian Government at Ministerial and official level about matters of mutual interest. Contacts of this sort will continue with the new Norwegian Government.
§ 95. Miss Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated number of Commonwealth workers in the United Kingdom who will have to register as citizens in order to be acceptable as community workers in the European Economic Community in the event of Great Britain joining.
§ Mr. RipponI cannot at this stage provide such an estimate. The categories which will be eligible under the Community provisions on free movement of labour have not yet been clarified in discussions with the Community.
§ 98. Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps are being taken, in the negotiations with the European Economic Community, to ensure a market in the United Kingdom for New Zealand fruit.
§ Mr. RipponWe hope to negotiate an adequate transitional period to ensure that there is no sudden change in the United Kingdom market for New Zealand fruit.
§ 99. Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken, in the negotiations with the European Economic Community, to safeguard the market in the United Kingdom of New Zealand lamb, 91 per cent. of whose exports are taken by Great Britain.
§ Mr. RipponWe have explained to the Six the dependence of New Zealand on the British market for its exports of lamb. Provided the Communities do not introduce a sheepmeat regulation unfavourable to New Zealand, in which case we would have to re-open the matter, we see no difficulty about New Zealand's exports of meat.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 10W Affairs, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government that a United Kingdom contribution of 13 per cent. to 15 per cent. of the Community budget in the final year of any transition period would be equitable, what is his estimate of an equitable United Kingdom share in the first year after the end of any transition period.
§ Mr. RipponAfter the transitional period our contribution will depend on the size and shape of the budget at that time. Under our proposals that would be nearly 10 years hence, as we have requested a three-year period of correctives after the five years of transition, on the basis the Six have agreed to apply among themselves. Estimates therefore vary and are necessarily speculative. We have also asked for an agreement to reflect the Community's own idea that if an unacceptable situation were to arise the Community's survival would demand equitable solutions.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware that Norway is unwilling to enter the European Economic Community unless the Community fisheries policy is changed; and whether he will now press for appropriate changes.
§ Mr. RipponI cannot answer for the Norwegian Government. But Her Majesty's Government have reserved their position on the common fisheries policy of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has now had with the European Economic Community about a timetable for the removal of United Kingdom exchange controls during any transitional period before the United Kingdom becomes a European Economic Community member.
§ Mr. RipponIf the negotiations succeed the United Kingdom will, of course, be a full member of the Community from the beginning of the transitional period. Our discussions with the Six on exchange controls in the context of capital movements are at present confidential.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has now 11W had from Norway, as a European Free Trade Association partner, about the European Economic Community policy on fisheries; and what reply he has made.
§ Mr. RipponWe maintain close consultation with the Norwegian Government on matters of mutual interest. The details of these exchanges must remain confidential.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now publish forecasts of the expected growth rate in the United Kingdom economy if Great Britain should join the Common Market, in the light of recent estimates that German economic growth in 1971 will be no higher than that of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RipponHer Majesty's Goverment's efforts are directed towards measures to improve growth performance. We believe that membership of the European Economic Community is a factor likely to increase the growth rate, but it would not be realistic to produce forecasts at present.
§ Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the latest developments in negotiations for British entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponI have nothing to add to my statement of 18th March.—[Vol. 813, c. 1659–62.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the British delegation's response to the proposal made in Brussels on Tuesday, 23rd February, that Great Britain should pay, in addition to the £125 million to the share capital of the European Investment Bank, a contribution to the bank's reserves; what amount was specified for such a contribution; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponThe question of a British contribution to the reserves of the European Investment Bank is still under discussion. The discussions are confidential.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement 12W on the discussions which ensued at Brussels on Tuesday, 23rd February; how long these discussions took; what subjects in addition to Great Britain's contribution to the reserves of the European Investment Bank, the conditions for the free movement of capital between Great Britain and the Six and the timing of certain tariff adjustments were raised; and what were the results.
§ Mr. RipponI covered the subjects dealt with at recent meetings of Deputies in my statement to the House on 18th March. The discussions on the subjects mentioned in the Question and the others set out at the beginning of my statement have not been concluded.—[Vol. 813, c. 1659–62.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the new evidence of the negative attitude being adopted towards Great Britain's negotiators for entry into the European Economic Community by the French representatives as witnessed by the events which occurred in Brussels on Monday, 15th March, he will now withdraw Great Britain's application for entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponNo.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is yet able to announce the exact date on which the result of the European Economic Community negotiations will be known.
§ Mr. RipponNo.