HC Deb 05 November 1962 vol 666 cc600-2
43. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the negotiations in Brussels; and whether he is satisfied that Her Majesty's Government can fulfil their undertaking to the British agricultural industry within the terms established by the Six.

46. Mr. P. Browne

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in view of the importance of the present system of agricultural support to the United Kingdom farming industry, he will insist that it be maintained during the transitional period if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.

Mr. Heath

The position is set out in my report on the Ministerial meeting in Brussels from 25th to 27th October, which has been published as a White Paper, Cmnd. 1847.

Mr. Stonehouse

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that his position in these negotiations has been greatly undermined by the sheep-like decision of the Conservative Party Conference? Will he say clearly whether he intends to insist on terms and conditions which will protect the farming community in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Heath

The hon. Gentleman must not judge the Conservative Conference at Llandudno by most of the conferences which he himself attends. The Government have given their pledges about agriculture, to which they adhere.

Mr. P. Browne

Will my right hon. Friend specifically answer my Question No. 46, which he has not yet answered?

Mr. Heath

If my hon. Friend reads the White Paper published after the last Brussels meeting, to which I referred in my Answer, he will see that the situation is set out very clearly there. We have explained very fully in the negotiations the position of Her Majesty's Government on the arrangements for the transitional period.

Mr. Browne

This is a Question which should be answered "Yes" or "No".

Mr. Peart

Can the Lord Privy Seal tell the House of one real concession which the Six have made to the British during the recent negotiations?

Mr. Heath

If the hon. Gentleman will await the debate on Wednesday and Thursday, he will hear then a very full account of the whole state of these negotiations. If he is asking what specific arrangements have been made to meet the problems of the United Kingdom in joining the European Economic Community, if it so wishes, they, of course, cover the whole sphere of association and, apart from the Treaty of Rome, the special arrangements for India, Pakistan and Ceylon, the arrangements for temperate foodstuffs from the old Commonwealth, arrangements for the annual Community reviews and the long-term assurances for domestic agriculture.

Mr. H. Wilson

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember that, in the debate on the Common Market on 6th and 7th June, the Minister of Agriculture, when winding up late at night on the first day, gave us the most specific and detailed assurances about what would happen to British agriculture, not as a hope or a pious wish, or in a statement on the negotiating position, but in a clear statement of what the Government would insist on. Will the Lord Privy Seal say whether he has any hope of getting the points laid down by the Minister of Agriculture?

Mr. Heath

My right hon. Friend described the coherent agricultural policy which he wanted to see developed in the European Economic Community. That is our view, and that is the matter about which we are negotiating.

Mr. P. Browne

In view of the wholly unsatisfactory nature of the reply which I have received to my Question, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.