§ 3.50 p.m.
§ Mr. A. H. MacdonaldI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the cost of British entry into the Common Market".Without going into the merits of the subject, Mr. Speaker, I have to show three things: that it is specific, important and urgent. As to its being specific, we have debated this question many times in the House, but those debates have, in the main, been concerned with the principles of the issues involved. Although estimates of the cost have been advanced 959 by distinguished back benchers on either side, they have been estimates only. It now appears from reports in the Press over the weekend that the Government are in possession of authoritative analyses showing the cost. I submit that there should be an opportunity for the Government to present to the House these analyses of the cost, and for us to discuss them.If it be true that the facts are known, it is possible for us now to be quite specific about the advantages, if any, of joining, or about the disadvantages, because we are now in a position to quantify the proposal to join the Common Market. Because we can quantify it, we can now, for the first time, be specific. I therefore submit that this is a specific matter.
As to its importance, I assert without fear of contradiction that there could hardly be a more important matter to come before the House at present, seeing that the figures now appearing in the Press show that joining would affect the living standard of every citizen, and the sovereignty of the nation where it is committed to plan its own economy—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Under an application under Standing Order No. 9 we cannot debate whether Britain should join the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. MacdonaldI am simply trying, Mr. Speaker, without going into the merits, to illustrate the importance of the figures which, I understand, are now in the possession of the Government. As I say, the figures show that joining must affect every industry, our relations with the Commonwealth and our balance of payments. I do not wish to labour that point: the importance is evident.
It is on the question of urgency that the greatest difficulty lies in my way, but I believe that I can submit arguments to show that the matter is urgent. First, it is well known that the Government are following a rigorous economic policy. Reports are now coming forward, notably from the C.B.I., that the question of capital investment is one that is deserving of serious consideration. These reports have been echoed a number of times in debates in this House, namely, that the investment policies of firms must be profoundly affected if the costs of joining the Common Market are known. 960 Firms need to know where to invest, whether to invest in the Continent or in this country, and, if incentives are needed, that the type of incentives will be according to the cost involved. Industry must know and, I submit, must know without delay.
Further, still on the question of industrial investment, the cost of living must have a very profound effect on the people's purchasing power, and that itself must affect the incentives that are required for this purpose.
The second argument on the subject of urgency is that it is suggested in the reports now appearing in the Press that if we are to join the Common Market there will be a serious drop in the standard of living, as a result of which poor people must subsist on margarine—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman must not drift into the merits of our joining the Common Market.
§ Mr. MacdonaldI am sorry if I allow my feelings to trespass, Mr. Speaker, but it is clear that if these reports are factual there is a specific subject matter which must be urgently discussed. Reports, be they true or be they untrue, that the people's standard of living is to be so profoundly affected, should not be allowed to drift in isolation, but should be discussed here at the earliest possible opportunity.
It is the business of the Government to confirm or deny these reports. I submit that the House should have an opportunity to contemplate what the Government have to say on this subject, and to pronounce upon it. As you say, Mr. Speaker, I must not go into the odious implications of this policy, but for the reasons I have given I submit that the matter is one of urgency, is specific and is important.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. A. H. Macdonald) informed me this morning that he might this afternoon seek to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9.
The hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the cost of British entry into the Common Market.961 As the House knows, under the revised Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision.I listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman. I have given careful consideration to the representations that he has made, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the revised Standing Order. I therefore cannot submit his application to the House.