§ Q2. Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Prime Minister what plans he now has to participate in Great Britain's negotiations to enter the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterThe negotiations remain the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
§ Mr. ClarkeIs the Prime Minister aware that the vast majority of my hon. Friends on this side of the House fully share his confidence in the negotiating skills of my right hon and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 613 and are most encouraged by the good news which has been coming from Brussels in the last few days? Will the Prime Minister take the opportunity on his visit to France to reiterate the political will of this Government to enter the Common Market if the good progress in negotiations can be maintained? In particular, will he ask the President to use his good offices to maintain the pace of the negotiations so that a successful conclusion can be reached within the next two months?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I thought that the House as a whole would be glad at the progress made at the last meeting in Brussels. I look forward to my meeting with the President of France to review the whole of the European scene, in addition to the particular question of the negotiations.
§ Mr. John MendelsonDid the right hon. Gentleman hear the remarks of Lord Campbell on the radio earlier today, speaking with the authority of the Association of British Sugar Producers, that there has been no progress at all, that the agreement about which the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Chancellor seems to be so enthusiastic means that there will be no certainty at all for the people in Mauritius, Barbados and the Caribbean, that they cannot plan their bank advances for full production, and that a sell-out has been advertised as a break-through? Will he see that there is not the same fraudulent terminology used in future so that the sugar agreement is not against the interests of sugar producers in the Commonwealth?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, I did not hear Lord Campbell's remarks, but it may be that, not for the first time, I should have disagreed with him if I had.
§ Sir D. RentonWill the Prime Minister bear in mind that during the last election many of us gave undertakings to our constituents that, between the publication of the terms agreed and reaching a decision in this House, we would consult our constituents, and that in large agricultural constituencies that may take some time?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. Of course I take note of my right hon. and learned Friend's point.
§ Mr. PeartWill the Prime Minister recognise that his right hon. and learned Friend gave firm assurances to the West Indies when he was there, in what I thought was a successful visit, as to long-term access to the Community? But is he not aware that the formula now agreed is worthless and that there has been a climb-down? I hope we shall have a full report when the Minister comes back, because this formula will cause considerable dismay to friends in the Caribbean, Mauritius, Fiji, India and the African States.
§ The Prime MinisterOf course my right hon. and learned Friend will give a full report to the House when he returns. As the House knows, he has gone to the E.F.T.A. Ministerial meeting, which is quite right. In regard to assurances, it is a firm assurance that will be implemented, if negotiations are successful between ourselves and members of the Community, when we are enjoying our full rights as a member. That is the importance of the assurances.
§ Mr. PeartWould the right hon. Gentleman stress the importance of "bankability", if I may use the phrase of a distinguished Caribbean Minister, Robert Lightborne, when he insisted on assurances on this matter before any agreement was reached, since there has been a change of attitude?
§ The Prime MinisterThere has been no change of attitude at all because my right hon. and learned Friend has obtained assurances which will be implemented when we ourselves are a member of the Community, if the negotiations succeed. Therefore, we have our full rights in any future arrangements that will be made.
§ Mr. MartenAs both major political parties must in practice agree to entry into the Market before we go in, would the Prime Minister have the foresight to take the Leader of the Opposition with him when he meets President Pompidou so that at least he can continue the truncated saga which goes under the name of the "Soames Affair"?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that that would be in the national interest.
§ Mr. ThorpeIs the Prime Minister aware that many of us have great confidence in the negotiating abilities of 615 the Chancellor of the Duchy? Is he further aware that many of us think that far better purposes are served by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition remaining in this country in attempting to strengthen the political will to join Europe among some of their back benchers?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is right that when a Minister of the Crown is given responsibility for negotiations he should carry them out within the remit given to him by his colleagues. That is what my right hon. and learned Friend has been doing. So far as I am concerned as Prime Minister, there is a responsibility to meet other Heads of Government and to discuss the general issues of the future of Europe. So far as this country is concerned, when the possibility of a settlement in the negotiations becomes clear, then the country can discuss these matters, and I believe that it will then recognise the advantages of a settlement.