§ Q2. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official talks with President Pompidou.
§ Q8. Mr. Skinnerasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the talks he had with President Pompidou; and if he will make a statement.
§ Q9. Mr. Ashtonasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his meeting with President Pompidou.
§ Q10. Mr. Molloyasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement regarding his recent visit to President Pompidou.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply which I gave to 365 my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison) on 24th May.—[Vol. 857, c. 129.]
Mr. Clinton DaviesAs the Prime Minister has presided over a massive increase of about 35 per cent. in food prices since June 1970, has he mentioned to President Pompidou the desirability of Britain's reverting to a policy of substantial food subsidies? Bearing in mind that that would represent a derogation from the EEC rules, what response to that suggestion does the right hon. Gentleman think that he would get from President Pompidou?
§ The Prime MinisterAll I was able to discuss with President Pompidou was the decision of Ministers of Agriculture to review the whole operation of the common agricultural policy and, in particular to try to increase the food supplies of Europe, because it is basic shortages that lie at the root of the problem.
§ Mr. SkinnerDoes the Prime Minister recall that when he first met President Pompidou after being elected Prime Minister he came back with the so-called Common Market design? Does he recall more recently coming back from a visit to President Pompidou waving the grand regional strategy that would save the peripheral areas of this country, which has been a disaster? Would not it be better for all concerned for him to discuss the weather the next time he meets President Pompidou?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman only reveals his ignorance in not realising that regional policy is not settled in the Community.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsWill my right hon. Friend tell the House whether he discussed the position of the Yaoundé associates of the EEC and the third world generally?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. It is natural that on a matter that concerns particularly France and Britain—because of the number of territories that were formerly associated with both countries—we should have had a discussion about the future of the agreement and how the third world can best be helped.
§ Mr. AshtonDid not the Prime Minister and President Pompidou make a deal whereby the Prime Minister agreed 366 to let our food prices reach the level of French food prices and, in return, President Pompidou agreed that he would not push too hard the stabilising of the pound? When will the Prime Minister live up to his promise to stabilise the level of our currency, so that he can stand on his feet when he meets President Pompidou and bring up the question of food subsidies?
§ The Prime MinisterNo such arrangement has ever been made. The present Government followed their predecessors in accepting the common agricultural policy in the negotiations.
§ Mr. MartenNow that we have had almost six months' experience of the Common Market, will the Prime Minister say clearly that the Government are not in favour of any move towards federalism?
§ The Prime MinisterI have already told the House that the argument about federalism is an entirely artificial one. We agreed at the summit to organise our institutions so as best to suit the other members of the Community. Special responsibility rests with members of the European Parliament to put forward proposals to give the European Parliament more power and influence.
§ Mr. MolloyWill the Prime Minister be prepared to consider making further representations to the French President about the envisaged nuclear tests, because of the increase in the volume of protest in this House and throughout the country and by the New Zealanders and the Australians? Will the Prime Minister be prepared to go back to President Pompidou and tell him that the House and the nation ally themselves with the Australians and the New Zealanders? Will he tell him that the tests should not take place, because they constitute an affront to humanity and to the peace of the world?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have always told the House, I found that President Pompidou was well aware of the views of the Government and their predecessors, and fully aware of the views of the Australian and New Zealand Governments.
§ Mr. RedmondDid my right hon. Friend discuss with President Pompidou 367 the Fifth Directive of the Common Market? If that was discussed, did President Pompidou give any indication of what the French Government think about that directive and what they propose to do about it when considering industrial relations?
§ The Prime MinisterWe did not discuss that directive in particular. We discussed the whole question of social policy for the developing Community, from the point of view not only of social services but of the relationship between management and unions in industry.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonIn view of the answer that the right hon. Gentleman gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) about regional policy—he said that there had been no decision about it as yet—will be say, on the best information available to him, when he expects regional policy to be settled?
§ The Prime MinisterThe agreement at the summit was that it would be settled and a fund established by the end of this year.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonDid not one of the right hon. Gentleman's Ministers indicate yesterday that there will be a final decision by the end of June?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the right hon. Gentleman is confusing the position with the interim arrangement, which concerns the three acceding members or the three new members of the Community. The regional policy itself is not bound to be worked out and the fund established—in other words, the permanent policy—until the end of this year.