HC Deb 05 June 1972 vol 838 c8
10. Mr. Moyle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has now made of the amount of compensation which the United Kingdom will have to pay to non-European Economic Community countries upon joining the European Economic Community as a result of raising tariff barriers against those countries.

Mr. Noble

Any compensation due for the withdrawal of tariff concessions by countries acceding to the Community will fall to be provided by the enlarged Community as a whole. It will be assessed in negotiations with the countries principally affected.

Mr. Moyle

Does the Minister agree that we shall have to pay our proportion of the compensation? Is this not a matter which should come before the House so that we all know what is involved in joining the EEC?

Mr. Noble

The hon. Gentleman is incorrect if he assumes that compensation will necessarily be due, since accession to the Community will involve reductions in some tariffs which will have to be balanced against the increases elsewhere.