§ 16. Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in view of his undertakings, if he has now managed to secure safeguards for all member nations of the European Free Trade Area; and if he will make a statement on the position of all applicant and non-applicant members in relation to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponDenmark, Norway and the United Kingdom have now signed the treaty of Accession to the European Communities.
European Free Trade Area non-applicants have begun to negotiate bilateral agreements with the Commission of the European Economic Community on the basis of a mandate approved by the Council of Ministers, about which we were consulted. Britain, Denmark, Norway and the present members of the Community participate as observers in these negotiations and will be consulted by the Commission.
§ Mr. MoateIs it not the case that E.F.T.A. represents exactly the type and form of European association that might have commanded the full-hearted support of the British people, yet it is now being broken up for the sake of Britain's political integration with the Six? Can the Chancellor of the Duchy tell us exactly what, if any, new trade barriers are likely to be erected between Britain and her E.F.T.A. partners?
§ Mr. RipponMy hon. Friend has forgotten that one of the main aims of the Stockholm Convention was to create a situation in which the countries of E.F.T.A. could join the European Economic Community in the appropriate form. I have made many statements to the House about the consultations I have had with the E.F.T.A. Council of Ministers and I can assure my hon. Friend that at the moment everything is proceeding satisfactorily.
§ Mr. MartenIn the event of Norway and Denmark not acceding to the Treaty of Rome, would this not throw out of balance the whole argument for our joining? Would not this have to be looked at again?
§ Mr. RipponThe Danish and Norwegian Governments evidently hope that their countries will accede and that is why their Prime Ministers have signed the treaty. The treaty makes provision for the situation which might arise if one of the countries did not ratify. Presumably they might go for some form of association such as some of the other E.F.T.A. countries have done. We cannot go into these matters now.
§ 18. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to discuss with European Free Trade Association partners the future of that organisation in the event of Norway not becoming a member of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponNo, Sir. Norway signed the Treaty of Accession on 22nd January.
§ Mr. DeakinsIs not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that some of us in this House feel that we have a moral responsibility towards our E.F.T.A. partners, since Britain started E.F.T.A. in 1956, for ensuring that the interests of its members are 955 adequately looked after if they do not become members of the E.E.C.? Surely we should not look upon E.F.T.A., as the Government appear to be doing, merely as a sinking ship?
§ Mr. RipponThe hon. Gentleman is quite right: we do have these moral obligations and we are fulfilling them. Above all we have a moral obligation to help E.F.T.A. countries to fulfil the aim of the Stockholm Convention which was to enable an arrangement to be made with the E.E.C. whereby some members of E.F.T.A. become full members and some associate members.
§ Mr. James JohnsonDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that the most important item on the agenda of any E.F.T.A. meeting should be that of fishery limits in the north-east Atlantic? Can he assure the House and the fishing industry that he stands four-square with Norway and the Scandinavian countries over the proposed Icelandic extension of fishing limits to 50 miles? Has he spoken to our Scandinavian colleagues about that?
§ Mr. RipponThere is another Question on the Order Paper dealing with that subject. As the hon. Gentleman says, the E.F.T.A. countries are much concerned in these matters and will, I know, continue to co-operate.