HC Deb 10 July 1972 vol 840 cc1169-70
23. Mr. Gwynoro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what will be the rank of the senior Welsh Office representative on the British delegation to the European Economic Community in Brussels.

Mr. Peter Thomas

The British delegation in Brussels is representative of the United Kingdom as a whole and there are no special territorial appointments.

Mr. Jones

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one reason for the opposition of the Welsh people to the Common Market is the increasing remoteness and undemocratic method of decision-making? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman assure us that one crumb of comfort will be the appointment of an Assistant Commissioner for Wales?

Mr. Thomas

As I said, there are no special appointments in respect of territorial interests. The Welsh Office will not be specifically represented on the delegation, nor, for the same reason, will the Scottish Office.