HC Deb 20 October 1976 vol 917 cc1436-8
30. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will next be attending an EEC Council of Ministers meeting.

Dr. Owen

On 15th and 16th November.

Mr. Marten

In view of the current Turkish displeasure with the EEC, which I think is fairly well established now, and in view of the obvious dangers inherent in that situation, will the Minister of State, the next time he visits the Council of Ministers, make it clear to the Council that Britain wishes to retain the most friendly relations with Turkey? Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that nothing is done by the EEC which harms our alliance with Turkey?

Dr. Owen

I attach a great deal of importance to good relations between Turkey and this country. It is obvious that our discussions previously on Cyprus underline the importance of our relations with that country. But there are many other countries in the Nine which also have traditional friendships and traditional involvements with Turkey both as NATO partners and in other areas of foreign policy. We are all concerned that there is at the moment some disagreement, but we hope to discuss this with the Turkish Government and reach agreement with them on what is for every member of the Nine a very difficult problem.

Mr. Hooley

When shall we be informed of the business which is to come before the Council of Ministers, as has been customary in the past?

Dr. Owen

It is normal to make a statement about it towards the end of the month, and I hope to do that.

Mr. Dykes

When the Council of Ministers is legislating, as opposed to merely discussing policy, why cannot it legislate in public?

Dr. Owen

I am sorry, I do not understand the hon. Gentleman's question. He speaks of "legislation in public". In terms of the Community, it is well known that the Community conducts a lot of its discussions in confidential sessions. I think that it has worked reasonably well in the past.

Mr. Crawford

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the German representative on the Council of Ministers that, in any negotiations between the Prime Minister and Chancellor Schmidt over the propping up of the pound, they cannot look upon Scottish oil as collateral for any bargaining which may be taking place?

Dr. Owen

Again, I cannot see how that arises out of the original Question. However, I shall take note of the hon. Gentleman's point.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

The right hon. Gentleman seemed a little surprised at the supplementary question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) about legislation in public by the Council of Ministers. Is he not aware that this matter has been canvassed over three or four years and pressed both in Strasbourg and upon his colleagues on the Treasury Bench? Will he in future read his brief more carefully before answering our questions?

Dr. Owen

I am very conscious of having been away from European matters for some considerable time. I have, after all, been involved with the National Health Service for two and a half years. I shall look at this. There are problems about having completely open discussions until a state of agreement has been reached. I recognise that there is a problem of member nations' legislatures and the whole question of Community regulations. I recognise that that is a problem to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman attaches a great deal of importance. I shall do my utmost to ensure that this House is kept informed at all stages wherever possible of intended Community legislation. There are, however, formidable difficulties, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman himself pointed out well before we entered the Community.