§ 3. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the trade union movement in Wales in favour of British entry into the Common Market.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe trade union movement in Wales has made no representations to me on this matter.
§ Mr. HughesWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if Britain were to enter the Common Market it is the families of ordinary trade unionists who would have to bear the brunt of increased costs and that in terms of industrial development Wales will be more or less a write-off? Would he therefore speak up for Welsh interests in this matter?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI disagree with the hon. Gentleman. I am sure that the trade union movement in Wales is reserving its position, as are large sections of the community in Britain, until the terms are known.
§ Sir A. MeyerIs my right hon. Friend aware that trade union organisations within the Common Market countries which had certain misgivings about the Common Market when it was first formed are now unanimous, including even the Communist unions, in their support of the Common Market?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI certainly agree that within the Community there is great enthusiasm among not only trade unionists but all sections of the population for the idea of European unity.
§ Mr. McBrideIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trade union movement will always be in opposition to entry of the E.E.C., considering that the right hon. Gentleman was a party to Article 118 in railroading the Industrial Relations Bill through the House? Has he seen the trades councils' decided "No"? Would he therefore agree that united trade union opinion in Wales is against this sell-out of Britain?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo, I cannot agree. As I said, I have received no representation from the trade union movement in Wales on this matter.
§ 16. Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call a national conference of public and official bodies in Wales which are representative of a wide range of interests in order to discuss the question of the consequences to Wales of the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MorganIs it not a fact that, whatever the negotiated terms will be, entry into the Common Market would create in Wales problems more acute than those in most other parts of the United Kingdom? I am thinking particularly of the inevitable eastward drift of human and material resources and of assistance to farmers on marginal land. Is it that the Secretary of State does not appreciate these problems or that he is too complacent to apply his mind to them?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe hon. Gentleman was a member of the previous Administration, and he will recollect that a great deal of consideration was given to whether a detailed analysis of the effects of entry on any particular part of Britain could prove practicable. It was found that it could not. It is important that after the terms are known there should be good public debate and discussion, and undoubtedly that will take place. But I do not believe that a conference of the kind suggested by the hon. Gentleman would serve the bodies concerned better than the existing arrangements, whereby the bodies can tell Welsh Ministers and Members directly what their views are.
§ 27. Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish a paper on his Department's assessment of the impact on the Welsh economy if Great Britain should join the European Economic Community, following Welsh Office officials' discussions with European Economic Community representatives.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo, Sir. A detailed analysis for particular parts of the United Kingdom is not possible, but the Government believe that Wales will share fully with the rest of the United Kingdom in the benefits arising from membership of the Community.
§ Mr. JonesIs there not a grave inconsistency in what the Secretary of State 6 says? He says, on the one hand, that it is not possible to estimate the effect on regions such as Wales; yet, on the other hand, he predicts confidence? At this late stage, when right hon. Gentlemen opposite are gleefully accepting that they are already in the Common Market, will he ensure that some assessment is made of the impact on the Welsh economy, especially regional development in areas such as West Wales? Will he speak for Wales and its people and stop acting as Chairman of the Conservative Party?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasIt was agreed by the previous Administration that all parts of the United Kingdom should share in the benefit that the United Kingdom should have from entry into the European Economic Community.
§ 29. Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the volume of industry which would be attracted to Wales, assuming that Great Britain enters the Common Market.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasIt is not feasible to make such estimates. Wales should, however, share fully in the increased industrial opportunities presented by membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. McBrideIs the right hon. Gentleman aware—and he has Ministerial corroboration a few yards away from him—that under Article 67 of the Treaty of Rome we should have no control over capital outflow, and that therefore investment in industry would be concentrated in the Low Countries, and Wales would suffer? Is he aware that Wales would stagnate because it would be on the periphery of the enlarged E.E.C.? Will he oppose entry into the E.E.C. and thus protect the interests of the Welsh people, from whom he springs?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe hon. Gentleman should await the terms which may be agreed in June before he reaches the conclusions that he so emphatically states.