HC Deb 26 July 1971 vol 822 cc5-7
4. Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations from trade unions in the Six he has received about Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

The Minister for Trade (Mr. Michael Noble)

None, Sir.

Mr. Redmond

That is a rather disappointing answer, though not unexpected. Could my right hon. Friend tell us what was the attitude of the trade unions within the Six before the Treaty of Rome was signed, and what is their attitude now? I ask this in view of the apparently official opposition to our entry which comes from the Trades Union Congress.

Mr. Noble

The best I can tell my hon. Friend is their attitude now, which I am glad to say, is very much in favour of both British entry and the situation within the E.E.C. I have no information on what the situation was before they joined.

Mr. Kaufman

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult trade unions in Commonwealth countries about their attitude towards British entry, or are the Government, in their headlong rush to join the Community, no longer interested in the views of the Commonwealth?

Mr. Noble

I shall be only too delighted to discuss these problems with trade union leaders anywhere in the world where I happen to be. I was in Canada, and in the coming months I shall be in Australia and New Zealand.

10. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the percentage change in British wool textile exports to the European Economic Community by value between 1957 and 1969; and how this compares with the percentage change in wool textile exports to the European Free Trade Association in the same period.

Mr. Noble

Decreases of 44 per cent. and 4 per cent., respectively.

Mr. Wilkinson

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does not he agree that this shows the importance of our having preferential tariffs for such an important industry and that, when tariffs against British wool exports into the E.E.C. go down, there will be extremely large opportunities for this industry—our sixth most major exporting industry?

Mr. Noble

My hon. Friend, who has great knowledge of the wool textile industry, is perfectly correct. There is a 13 per cent. C.E.T. on wool cloth and the industry is looking forward to the tariff being diminished because there are great opportunities for it within the E.E.C.

16. Mr. Carter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek at the next meeting of the National Economic and Development Council to obtain from industry their assessments of the effects on themselves of entry into the European Economic Community.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. John Davies)

Agenda for meetings of the National Economic Development Council are decided by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in consultation with other members of the Council. Industry is already actively engaged on assessing for itself the effects of entry.

Mr. Carter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is an extremely pathetic answer? [HON. MEMBERS: "Pathetic or prophetic?"] Pathetic, although equally prophetic. Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that while the White Paper spells out in great detail the cost to Britain should we enter the Community, it says nothing about the possible benefits that we might get? If, as the Government say, our future is going to be so rosy if we get in, why cannot a value be put on these supposed benefits? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that our people will not easily forgive a Government who seek to lead them by the nose on such an important issue?

Mr. Davies

If the National Economic Development Council takes this matter into consideration, it will no doubt reflect upon the matters which the hon. Gentleman mentioned.

31. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his latest estimate of the effect British entry into the European Economic Community will have on United Kingdom trade with South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

It would be unprofitable to attempt any detailed forecasts but we expect South Africa to remain a major source of United Kingdom imports and a major market for our exports.

Mr. Wall

Can my right hon. Friend say whether discussions have taken place or are to take place with the South African authorities so as to retain and expand this important British market?

Mr. Noble

There has been a full exchange of information and views. We have discussed all the implications of that trade on a number of ocasions.

Mr. Molloy

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this Question goes wider than South Africa and that one of the most grievious omissions from Command Paper No. 4715 is any reasonable statement about the balance of trade which may take place if we join the Common Market, with special reference to the loss of trade with both our E.F.T.A. partners and the Commonwealth preference area? Should not this tremendous omission be filled in for the benefit of this House and the country?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is on a false premise. The Question does not go wider than South Africa.