§ 26. Mr. Moyleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future of Anglo-Australian relations.
§ Mr. RipponI have every confidence that Anglo-Australian relations will continue to be as close and cordial in the future as they have been in the past.
§ Mr. MoyleCould they not be more cordial? Are there not a number of Australian communities which remain totally unprotected as a result of the right hon. and learned Gentleman's mishandling of the situation in Brussels? Would he not agree that unless the Sugar Agreement producers get some protection they could wreck the International Sugar Agreement by acting unilaterally? Is that not likely to happen since the E.E.C. is not a member of the International Sugar Agreement?
§ Mr. RipponThe first part of the hon. Gentleman's statement is quite untrue. There is no part of the Australian economy left totally unprotected as a result of the agreement which we have reached, and that has been explained to the House. As to the future of the International Sugar Agreement, this is a matter of considerable concern. It comes up for renewal next year, and we would hope to be closely in touch with the Community and all the other parties about the future.