HC Deb 23 March 1976 vol 908 cc201-2
Q4. Mr. Ovenden

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to meet Chancellor Schmidt.

The Prime Minister

As the House knows, I had a series of talks with Chancellor Schmidt at Chequers on 7th February. Either I or my successor will expect to meet him at the meeting of the European Council in Luxembourg next week, Sir.

Mr. Ovenden

If my right hon. Friend meets Chancellor Schmidt next week, will he take the opportunity of reminding him that in their decision to remain in the Common Market the British people were very much influenced by promises of changes in the common agricultural policy and that they have been very disappointed by recent developments? Will he remind Chancellor Schmidt that his support for changes is essential if we are to achieve our objective?

The Prime Minister

Chancellor Schmidt and I have taken the same line about it, and so have my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. We have made some improvements in the operation of the CAP. Not only are beef premiums continuing; the Council of Ministers has agreed to consider, by the autumn, a detailed report on the merits of intervention and full premium system. That would have been unthinkable a year or two ago, without our membership. We have support for our own system from some member States. There are nonsenses about the CAP, to which attention has been drawn by Chancellor Schmidt and myself.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Will the Prime Miinster, at the Council of Ministers, discuss with Chancellor Schmidt and the French President the question why the level of family allowances for children up to two years of age is 10 times as high in France as it is in this country?

The Prime Minister

Each country is free to have its own system of social services. If the hon. Gentleman wants to make comparisons, not only on that point but on many others, he will no doubt put down a Question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

Mr. Les Huckfield

My right hon. Friend should also recognise that in the British trade union movement there are strong feelings on certain aspects of transport policy. Will he recognise that there are particularly strong feelings on the part of the Transport and General Workers' Union about the introduction of tachographs and revised drivers' hours? The next time he meets Chancellor Schmidt, will he try to gain his support for the British attitude on these matters?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir, I am aware that there are strong feelings on the question of transport, in a much wider sense. I am aware of the views of the trade unions concerned. I also feel that I am speaking for many drivers on the motorways, who see juggernauts driving at the speed they do. It is a matter about which we are all concerned. The trade union movement is fully integrated in the economic and social counsels of the EEC and has the opportunity of expressing its views directly to those concerned.