HC Deb 24 January 1962 vol 652 cc200-2

Canadian Ministers and Mr. Edward Heath, Lord Privy Seal in the British Government, have concluded two days of useful and constructive talks concerning European trading developments. The Canadian Ministers taking part in the meeting were the Honourable Donald M. Fleming, Minister of Finance, Chairman, the Honourable Howard Green. Secretary of State for External Affairs, the Honourable George Hees, Minister of Trade and Commerce, the Honourable Alvin Hamilton, Minister of Agriculture.

During the discussions Mr. Heath informed Canadian Ministers of current developments in Britain's negotiations with the European Economic Community. He stressed the efforts being made by the United Kingdom to safeguard the essential trade interests of Canada and other Commonwealth countries. Canadian Ministers welcomed his statement and emphasised the extent and importance of Canadian interests in the British market. They indicated that they would provide the British Government with complete information on all aspects of Canadian trade interests relevant to the negotiations in Brussels. The Ministers reaffirmed that full consultation and co-operation would be maintained between the two Governments throughout the negotiations in Brussels and that the means to this end would be adapted as circumstances might require.

There was complete agreement on the great value of Commonwealth trade links and the need to maintain them. It was also agreed that when the talks with the European Economic Community are further advanced it may be desirable to examine what additional arrangements for consultation with Commonwealth countries are necessary.

Mr. Heath and the Canadian Ministers noted the conclusions of the recent meeting of trade ministers arranged by the G.A.T.T. in Geneva concerning future tariff negotiations, trade in agricultural products, and obstacles to the trade of the less developed countries. They welcomed the recent reaffirmation by the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of the objective of expanding world trade on a multilateral non-discriminatory basis. They stressed the importance they attach to further progress in the reduction of tariffs and other barriers to world trade.

32. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent consideration of Great Britain's application to joint the Europeon Economic Community is delayed in view of the failure of the Six to reach agreement on the agricultural provisions by 1st January, 1962.

Mr. Heath

Consideration of other aspects of our negotiations continued during the period when the Six were discussing the agricultural provisions among themselves.

Mr. Stonehouse

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he has been studying the full provisions which have now been agreed between the Six, whether he agrees with these provisions and, if he can accept them, whether in particular he is prepared to accept the idea of a fund to subsidise European agriculture?

Mr. Heath

I understand that the full texts were published yesterday. We have not yet received them. When we do, we shall of course study them immediately.

Sir J. Duncan

My right hon. Friend has said that he has not yet received the full texts. When he does, will he see that every hon. Member has an opportunity of obtaining copies of them so that they can study them and their important effect on British agriculture?

Mr. Heath

I will certainly look into that to see what is possible.

Mr. J. Morris

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to his speech last Sunday, Dr. Mansholt is apparently holding a pistol towards this country in the matter of agriculture? Will the right hon. Gentleman make it perfectly clear to Dr. Mansholt why Britain is seeking a longer transitional period, as Dr. Mansholt seems to say that he does not understand why we require it?

Mr. Heath

Our position was set out in the Paris speech published in the White Paper.

Mr. H. Wilson

Would the right hon. Gentleman make clear in all these negotiations our anxieties that the Six are trying to build a very inward-looking protectionist agricultural set-up with a high tariff wall vis-à-vis the outside world? In view of our crucial interest in the free entry of Commonwealth goods, would the right hon. Gentleman make plain that we are opposed to a protectionist set-up of that kind? Will he confirm the impression widely expressed in Washington that the United States Government are now coming round to the view that their attitude towards this organisation to some extent depends upon the Community's willingness to be outward-looking and not inward-looking and to have a low tariff vis-à-vis the rest of the world, including the Commonwealth and America?

Mr. Heath

I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman's strictures about the Community's present policy are entirely justified, when one looks at the action which it has recently taken and the agreement which it has signed with the United States and the part it played in the Dillon round in G.A.T.T. We are fully aware of the anxieties which the right hon. Gentleman has expressed. I discussed them in Washington, and other "third countries", to use a technical phrase, such as the Argentine and Yugoslavia, have also made their interests clear.

Mr. Ridsdale

If we adhere to the present arrangements which the Six have made in agriculture, can my right hon. Friend say by how much the import bill for food will increase the figures in our balance of payments?

Mr. Heath

No, Sir, but we have made clear that the purpose of the negotiations is to make arrangements affecting our own Commonwealth and domestic agriculture.