HC Deb 04 July 1973 vol 859 cc525-7
18. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his consultations with Commonwealth countries since 1st January 1973 concern- ing the implications for them of British entry to the EEC.

Mr. John Davies

While it is, of course, for the Commonwealth countries concerned to decide what sort of relations they wish to pursue with the European Communities, these matters are the subject of regular consultation between those countries and ourselves.

Mr. Judd

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that at the time of British entry to the EEC on 1st January there was a large range of unresolved problems concerning our obligations to Commonwealth countries? Further, does he agree that those countries were advised that if they would bear with us after entry we would pursue their interests with all the vigour at our disposal? Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that there are grave misgivings within the Commonwealth about the degree of vigour with which those interests have been pursued? Would it not be helpful, in view of all the critical negotiations concerning Yaounde and other matters coming up this summer, to issue a White Paper detailing precisely how the Government have been pursuing Commonwealth interests within the context of the EEC?

Mr. Davies

I must emphasise that in the case of all the relationships to which the hon. Gentleman refers there is a need for the countries concerned to pursue their interests as they see them themselves. It is for Her Majesty's Government to consult with them, and where possible, to give them every support in their interests. That is what we have done. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development, for instance, has made a veritable pilgrimage around the Commonwealth countries in Africa seeking and finding out their interests, deciding how best their interests can be catered for, and seeking to do so. The results to date are by no means unsatisfactory.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I must admit to an error. I should not have called the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd). Questions relating to overseas aid should begin not later than 3.20 p.m. I was carried away by the excitement of Questions Nos. 16 and 17. Mr. Roderick.