HC Deb 29 October 1975 vol 898 cc1583-6
39. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps he is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom acts independently within the Common Market on all matters affecting the control and distribution of North Sea oil.

38. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of his attitude towards oil policy, recently announced to the European Council of Ministers, and in connection with the forthcoming energy conference, whether it is now his intention to bring about a European energy policy within which the United Kingdom will play a full part.

Mr. James Callaghan

I would refer hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Inverness (Mr. Johnston) on 21st October.—[Vol. 898, c. 211.]

Mr. Skinner

What is the point of seemingly fighting so hard for a seat at the conference table when from an earlier answer by my right hon. Friend it seems that we are in the process of backing down? What is the point of fighting so hard when at the same time my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is so negligent about speeding up the participation plans for North Sea oil? Is my right hon. Friend aware that West Germany is taking full advantage of the delay by carving out large chunks of North Sea oil territory for West German companies?

Why does not my right hon. Friend have a word with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and suggest to him that the participation plans should be speeded up, assuming that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster can find the time to do so when he is so busily engaged on the many other matters that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has handed out to him in the past few months?

Mr. Callaghan

My hon. Friend's question seems to be more than 90 per cent. directed towards my right hon. Friend rather than to me. I shall gladly have a word with my right hon. Friend on many important subjects because I value his advice, his experience, his skill and his constant attendance.

Mr. John Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that there is at present no provision, either within the treaties or in any subsequent Act of the Community, depriving Britain of the control of its North Sea asset?

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, I gladly do that. I did so in answer to an earlier question and I do so again now. There is nothing that can deprive us of the control of our assets. If we decide that it is to our advantage to have a European energy policy, that is a matter for us. If we decide that we do not want to take part in such a policy, that, too, is a matter for us.

Mr. Donald Stewart

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that if decisions are taken at the forthcoming energy conference which are considered contrary to the national interests of Scotland, there is no guarantee that the forthcoming Scottish Government will underwrite them?

Mr. Callaghan

I note what the hon. Gentleman says, but I take it that the independent Scottish Parliament will accept any international treaties that have been entered into by its predecessor.

Mr. Heffer

Has the Foreign Secretary's attention been drawn to Early Day Motion No. 690, which gives him full backing in his stand on British representation at the international energy conference? That motion is signed by 175 Members, of whom 172 are Labour Members.

Mr. Skinner

Including me.

Mr. Heffer

Including my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) who, for his own reasons, wants to make that point. Will my right hon. Friend give a clear statement that, contrary to Press reports, there will be no compromise and that the Government will be firm in their view that we should have our own seat at this important conference?

Mr. Callaghan

I do not wish to comment on Press reports. I have made no approaches to any other Government on this matter—except to say to the Nine and the United States Government that we claim a separate seat. If anybody has any proposals to put to us on that matter, I shall consider them.

Mr. Maudling

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a considered reply to my earlier supplementary question? Is it not a fact that we have an interest in North Sea oil and also in the cohesion of the Community and in what he describes as procedural matters going to the heart of the Community? Will he give an undertaking that we shall make a maximum effort to reconcile these differing British interests?

Mr. Callaghan

The continuuing process is an attempt to reconcile differing interests. Sometimes they can be reconciled; at other times they cannot be. I do not know whether it will be possible to reconcile those interests. It is for others to say, and they understand our position. If they wish to reconcile interests, it will be up to them to come to me with propositions, which we shall be glad to entertain. As for the future of the Community, I promise the right hon. Gentleman that I have seen it go through worse things than this, and with the use of much stronger language. He should not be too worried about the situation.