§ Q2. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Prime Minister what discussions he is having with the Chancellor of the German Federal Republic about British regional policies.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. WatkinsWhat a typically disappointing answer. Will the Prime Minister seek to make it clear in the Federal Republic that this elected British Parliament intends to remain the ultimate arbiter of British regional policies after 1st January?
§ The Prime MinisterThere will be Community regional policies, and we shall have our full share in formulating them.
§ Mr. David SteelIn looking forward to that event, will the Prime Minister urge the Scottish Office to have talks with the appropriate Ministries in Eire, Norway and Southern Italy with a view to harmonising as soon as possible policies appropriate to the so-called peripheral areas of Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not sure that that would be appropriate at present, because the question of the areas is one for discussion amongst all Community members. That discussion is carried on in Brussels, but there is nothing to prevent us having bilateral discussions with any other country. I have discussed the question with all the Heads of Government I have met in recent months, and it will be discussed at the summit.
§ Q8. Mr. Ashtonasked the Prime Minister when he next intends to have an official meeting with Herr Willy Brandt.
§ The Prime MinisterI look forward to meeting Herr Brandt in Kiel during the Olympics.
§ Mr. AshtonThe House will be very glad to hear that. In answer to Question No. Q2, the Prime Minister said that he was satisfied with the regional policies of the Common Market. Can he give us an assurance that when we enter the Market we shall be able to insist on our policy of industrial development certificates and 344 be able to continue with it, despite the fact that the Market might not agree with such a policy?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman must not misquote me. I did not say that I was satisfied with the Community policy. I said that the Community policy remains to be worked out and the areas settled. In this we have our full part, and the matter will be discussed at the summit.
§ Mr. MartenAs regional policy is so important, can my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that our instrument of ratification will not be deposited in Brussels until we have satisfaction on this most important point at the summit conference?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Our instrument of ratification will be deposited immediately after Royal Assent, and this will give us our full rights in the Community to ensure a satisfactory regional policy.
§ Q9. Mr. Molloyasked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Bonn.
§ Q10. Mr. Kinnockasked the Prime Minister if he will seek to make an official visit to the German Federal Republic.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. MolloyOught not the Prime Minister to have plans to do so, if only to tell the Government of the German Federal Republic that the majority of this House and of the British people generally very much resent that Government or any other European Government making representations to the EEC Commission on the regional policies of Great Britain especially before we are in the Common Market? Ought he not to tell them that while he might be prepared to go in on his knee-pads, the British people will not under any conditions accept that sort of crawling to Europe? Would he not agree that if they try to put it over on us before we are in, that sort of behaviour might stiffen our backs to see that we get very much better terms before we enter?
§ The Prime MinisterThe German Government have made no protest or objection to any British policy. What 345 was done was what any member of the Community was entitled to do, including ourselves, and that is to ask for information about the policies of other members.
§ Mr. AdleyWhen my right hon. Friend sees the German Chancellor will he tell him that he can safely ignore the rather silly proposals put forward by the Opposition for renegotiating the Treaty of Rome because, after the anarchistic face that the Labour Party has shown to the electorate in the last few days, it will be many years before it is ever re-elected to govern this country?
§ The Prime MinisterNo one takes any notice of what it says.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonWhen the right hon. Gentleman meets Herr Brandt will he congratulate him on the fact that the Socialist Party of Germany which he led at the Vienna Conference of Socialist International voted for a resolution calling on the Six to meet the requirements stated by the British Labour Party on the renegotiation of the terms of entry to the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterIs so happens that the Socialist International does not govern the Community or Europe.