HC Deb 21 May 1962 vol 660 cc25-8
39. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on his discussions with Mr. George Ball regarding the European Economic Community.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)

I have nothing to add to what I said on 18th April in reply to questions from my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) and the hon. Gentleman the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey).

Mr. Stonehouse

Had the Minister's attention been drawn to an article by Mr. Alsop in today's Guardian regarding the provision of nuclear secrets to France? Was this subject raised in his discussions with the Americans? Is it intended to provide these secrets to France as the price for Britain's joining the E.E.C.? If we are to do that, did American permission have to be obtained beforehand?

Mr. Heath

This matter was not raised in my discussions with Mr. Ball, which were purely about international economics. There is no question of the United Kingdom breaking any arrangement with the United States of America.

40. Mr. Chataway

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in the current negotiations with the European Economic Community, it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to attempt to secure for Great Britain a permanent veto in the Council of Ministers

Mr. Heath

The Treaty of Rome provides for unanimous voting in the Council on some matters, even after the transitional period is over. As a full Member of the Community, we would enjoy the same right of veto as the other members.

Mr. Chataway

Does my right hon. Friend agree with a veto for individual countries permanently in the Council on all issues and that, in the enlarged Community of ten countries, a veto for one small and one large country would seriously weaken the whole structure of the Common Market? As the Leader of the Opposition has recently advanced both these proposals, will my right hon. Friend say whether he would be helped in his negotiations if there were fewer such comments, apparently designed to wreck the Community, coming from those Who sit on the fence in these matters?

Mr. Heath

There are certain provisions laid down in the Treaty which require an unanimous vote. The remainder of the provisions are covered by the method of qualified weighted voting, and the question at issue, which will have to be discussed later in the negotiations, is the balance of the weighted voting. It is quite natural that it has got to change. I was not aware that the Leader of the Opposition was suggesting that it should remain exactly as balanced at the moment. I thought that he was referring to the general question of the progress we have made in these discussions.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British public opinion will not accept exchanging Parliamentary democracy for bureaucratic rule in Europe?

Mr. Heath

That is a gross oversimplification of the provisions of the Treaty of Rome.

42. Mr. Ridley

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether in the current negotiations with the European Economic Community it is his policy to secure for all Commonwealth countries Associated Overseas Territories Status under Part IV of the Rome Treaty.

Mr. Heath

In my statement to the Six Governments on 10th October, 1961, I said that we should like to see the less developed members of the Commonwealth, and our dependent territories, given the opportunity, if they so wish, to enter into association with the Community on the same terms as those which will in future be available to the present associated overseas countries and territories.

Mr. Ridley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Opposition, even, I think, the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, seem to be calling for this condition as an essential to our signing the Treaty of Rome? Will my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that this condition is unreasonable in view of the nature of the Community and the Treaty which they have signed?

Mr. Heath

Our position is that we have asked for the less developed countries of the Commonwealth to have the opportunity of association if they so wish. This does not apply to the developed countries of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. [HON. MEMBERS: "What happens there?'] We are making special arrangements of an alternative kind for those, which have been described in my statement and in the detailed statements that I put in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. H. Wilson

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear to his hon. Friend that since last August we have used the phrase that it is inconceivable that the less developed countries, the British African territories and ex-British African territories, should receive worse treatment than is accorded to the French and Belgian territories under present arrangements? This was our position, has been all along, and still is.

Mr. Heath

That is the Government's position, that there should be no difference between the arrangements for association for all associated territories.

Mr. Russell

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has inquired of the African territories whether they would be willing to accept these conditions?

Mr. Heath

I think that all the independent countries of the Commonwealth and the dependencies will wish to see the nature of the arrangements in their final form before they make a decision.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

Can we take it that the answer to my hon. Friend's Question is "No"?

Mr. Heath

There is no question at this stage of asking countries for their views on this.