European Economic Community

HC Deb 23 June 1969 vol 785 cc979-80

7. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now initiate a new comprehensive study on the economic effects of joining the Common Market.

51. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies are now being made in his Department of the economic costs of joining the Common Market.

Mr. M. Stewart

We are certainly keeping the possibility of studies under review. But in present circumstances as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 10th June, there is no reason to change the general estimates given to the House during the Common Market debate two years ago.—[Vol. 784, c. 1225.]

Mr. Marten

But does not the Foreign Secretary recall that very few estimates were given to this House and that the information simply is not being disclosed to this country? Is it not very curious for the Government to try to join the European Economic Community, not knowing what the economic effects will be?

Mr. Stewart

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to look again at what was said by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. He pointed out that it would simply be doing a disservice to the House to try to give a detailed calculation of the effects of all the factors that would be operating on the balance of payments in the first few years afer our entry. That was why I used the phrase "general estimates". I do not think that I could go further than that at present.

Mrs. Short

Has my right hon. Friend not yet learned the lesson of trying to push unacceptable legislation that the country does not want? Is he aware that since the Prime Minister made his statement two years ago, devaluation has taken place and that, therefore, the whole of the economic estimates made two years ago are now out of gear? Does he not think that, instead of asking the British people to buy a pig in a poke, we should be given all the information so that we can make up our minds?

Mr. Stewart

The decision to make an application to join the Common Market received overwhelming support from the House—[HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."]—and I believe that it still has that support.

Mr. Farr

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that, since the debate two years ago, we have witnessed the complete failure of the Common Market's agricultural policy? Surely it is absolutely right that the House should have a current economic assessment of that factor alone.

Mr. Stewart

Yes. But the point that I am making, as was made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, is that we cannot make detailed estimates of matters of this kind.

Mrs. Short

Why not?

Mr. Moonman

While it may be necessary to learn from previous lessons and to talk about buying a pig in a poke, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether, at any future study, he might also take account of the latest information on the technological advantages of going into the Market, which would make the complete case, even to the most discerning critic?

Mr. Stewart

I think that that is a matter which has to be brought into the argument.