HC Deb 16 October 1968 vol 770 cc375-7
40. Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what occasions he attended negotiations outside the United Kingdom involving the entry of the United Kingdom into the Common Market, giving the date and place of each occasion.

Mr. Ross

There have been no forma! negotiations so the question does not arise.

Mrs. Ewing

Does the Secretary of State agree that the Scottish problems involved in entering into the Common Market are entirely different from the English problems and that the two must not be lumped together? As his office is the nearest in function that we have at present to a Prime Minister in Scotland., will he not undertake to the House that he will join in such negotiations as take place?

Mr. Ross

The hon. Lady should appreciate that some of our problems are exactly the same, but I would be the first to admit that we have special problems. She will remember that the Prime Minister himself stated that, when formal negotiations take place, the Foreign Secretary will be accompanied by whichever Ministers, including Scottish Ministers, are necessary for the particular subject under discussion.

41. Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake in all future negotiations involving the Common Market or the European Free Trade Association to ensure the protection of the distinct economic problems of Scotland.

Mr. Ross

I am at all times concerned to protect the economic interests of Scotland.

Mrs. Ewing

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell me what persons will participate directly in any such negotiations, so that we can feel confident that our interests will be represented? Will he say which persons have, up to now, carried out the negotiations in E.F.T.A., which persons are carrying on such negotiations at E.E.C. at the moment, and which persons will do so in the future?

Mr. Ross

The hon. Lady asked a Question about the Common Market and future negotiations of the European Free Trade Association. I have given her the answer to that. It was implicit in the Answer that was given, and which I referred to in reply to the last Question, that relevant Ministers with direct concern for specific problems will, where necessary, participate in such negotiations.

Mr. Eadie

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some hon. Members regard the 71 Scots Members of Parliament in Westminster as an insurance policy for the Scottish people if and when we enter the Common Market? Would he agree that this will ensure, if and when we enter the Common Market, the prevention of the concentration of industry in the Midlands and the South-East?

Mr. Ross

I consider that the presence of the 71 Scottish M.P.s in the House, whether or not it is related to the Common Market, is the best insurance we can have that the interests of Scotland, within the United Kingdom, are protected.

Mr. G. Campbell

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the very successful E.F.T.A. conference that was held in Edinburgh over four years ago, and will he remind his colleagues of this?

Mr. Ross

Yes.