HC Deb 27 July 1971 vol 822 cc203-6
Q2. Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Prime Minister if the public statement made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department in a television broadcast on 9th July in relation to the proposed entry of the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Davis

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Home Secretary is on record as condeming the protectionist policies of the Six and Britain's possible entry into a Federal Europe? Why do the pro-Marketeers, such as the Prime Minister, proclaim the Home Secretary's stand and not condemn his apostasy and infidelity to principle? Why are they so quick to condemn those who challenge Britain's entry into Europe and, indeed, thus sell out Britain's interests?

The Prime Minister

The Home Secretary, in winding up the debate last night, made an admirable speech which I hope the hon. Gentleman heard.

Mr. Rost

So that the country may have as much factual and unbiased information as possible on the issues of the great debate will my right hon. Friend try to persuade the Leader of the Opposition to rewrite a shortened popular version of that section of his memoirs which deals with his enthusiastic attempt to enter the Common Market, and, in order that the public may decide whether he was being politically honest in 1967 or is being politically honest now, will my right hon. Friend give permission for that popular version of the story to be released free through the Post Office?

The Prime Minister

I doubt whether I could persaude the Leader of the Opposition to do that, unless I invited him round for a drink.

Mr. Michael Foot

Will the Prime Minister tell us what the Home Secretary did not tell us last night: whether the heavy consequential legislation to be presented to the House, if we decide to go into the Common Market, will be amendable or not?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman had better await the legislation.

Mr. Harold Wilson

Accepting the Prime Minister's kind invitation, and in view of the Daily Mail account of what happens on these occasions, if only one glass is brought in will he undertake not to hog the whole lot himself?

The Prime Minister

The right hon Gentleman has already accepted my hospitality on official occasions; so he knows the answer to that.

Q4. Mr. Tugendhat

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Heads of Government of the European Economic Community about the advantages to third countries, particularly to developing countries, of enlargement of the Community.

The Prime Minister

In my discussions with Heads of Government of the Six I have found widespread recognition of the major contribution which an enlarged Community would be able to make to the relief of world poverty and the promotion of world trade and development.

Mr. Tugendhat

Has not the Community so far a much better record than ourselves in providing aid to the Third World? Will my right hon. Friend hope that when we join the Community many hon. Members opposite who feel that this is a retrograde step as regards the Third World will see that our contribution will increase to the same level as that of the members of the Six?

The Prime Minister

I think it is agreed amongst many in the House that the record of the Community in aid to the developing world is a good one. Associated status under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome corresponds roughly to our Commonwealth preferences in the developing world. As for official development aid in 1970, which is the latest year for which a figure is available——

Mr. Russsell Kerr

Reading.

The Prime Minister

If the hon. Gentleman wants the figures he will get them. The total from the Community was 2,017 million dollars, which represents 0.42 per cent. of G.N.P., compared to our 0.37 per cent. of G.N.P. Its financial aid from official Government sources was a greater proportion of G.N.P. than was our own. The Community has also taken the lead on the generalised preference arrangements, which will now be extended to the Commonwealth countries in the developing world as well as to Hong Kong.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is not the only reason why the member States of the Community have been able to devote a greater percentage of their G.N.P. to helping the under-developed countries that they have not spent in the post-war years, and are still not today spending, as much of their G.N.P. on defence as we are?

The Prime Minister

The average expenditure of members of the Six in N.A.T.O. is not as high as ours, but I do not believe that this is the reason why they have been able to help the developing world more. Even if we were to take the view that their defence expenditure had an impact on the amount they give to the developing world, it would surely destroy the argument that they do not care for the developing world and that the Community is a selfish capitalist club.

Q5. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for official visits to development areas in the next three months, in order to explain officially the effect on them of British entry into the European Economic Community.

The Prime Minister

I intend to make a number of speeches over the next few months in various parts of the country on Britain and the European Communi- ties, which will cover the implications of entry for the United Kingdom as a whole, including the development areas.

Mr. Hamilton

Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that he will not come to West Fife? Will he consider publishing a separate White Paper outlining the effects of development area policy and its relationship to our prospective membership of the E.E.C? Why did the Government see fit to produce three cursory paragraphs in the White Paper on development area policy when they knew full well that there are many people in Britain who are vitally interested in the matter?

The Prime Minister

I do not think I can give the hon. Gentleman the undertaking that he has asked for, because I happen to like going to Fife and I admire a great deal what they have done there in the way of clearing dereliction, which ought to be emulated by many other areas. The reason why regional policy was dealt with in this way in the White Paper is that it has not been the subject matter of negotiations, for the simple reason that there is no Community regional policy.

Mr. Molloy

Before the Prime Minister goes round the country or elsewhere making speeches, should he not make available much more information for hon. Members and for the country at large so that a proper judgment can be made? Is he aware that, because of the obvious contempt that he apparently has for the people as shown by the paucity of information in the White Paper, many people would not trust him or his Government to go into Shepherd's Bush Market let alone the Common Market?

The Prime Minister

The White Paper gave the full details of our negotiations. It has now been discussed for four days in the House in a very full debate in which Ministers have answered the questions which have been raised. The White Paper has been circulated in a popular edition. I am glad that I have the hon. Gentleman's support for that. If there is any further information which he wants, we shall be glad to supply it.

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