HC Deb 20 October 1976 vol 917 cc1441-2
32. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the co-ordination of foreign policy in the EEC.

Mr. Crosland

A great deal, Sir. The Nine continuously work towards common positions on foreign policy matters. The speech made on 28th September at the thirty-first United Nations General Assembly by the Netherlands Foreign Minister in his capacity as President of the Council of the European Communities is encouraging evidence of progress. During the thirtieth General Assembly the Nine voted together on 83 per cent. of all United Nations resolutions and the country holding the presidency spoke on behalf of the Nine on 30 occasions. This represents a major move towards the co-ordination of foreign policy in the EEC.

Mr. Blaker

Is the Secretary of State aware that I welcome that reply? May I draw his attention to the approach made some months ago by COMECON to the EEC for a commercial agreement? Does not that approach raise important political issues, including the question of what counter-proposals the EEC might want to make? Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the political issues will be considered by Ministers along with the commercial ones?

Mr. Crosland

I can give that assurance to the House. I agree that this is a matter of great importance. It was discussed during the past two days in Luxembourg. No final decision was taken about the nature of the reply to that proposal. When we come to take a final decision on it, however, there is no question but that we shall take seriously into account the political as well as the commercial considerations.

Mr. Newens

What opportunities are taken to seek to persuade our partners in the EEC to co-ordinate policies, for example, to bring pressure to bear on Chile about its failure to observe proper standards of human rights and to seek co-ordination of our respective policies on the supply of arms to South Africa?

Mr. Crosland

A great deal of pressure is brought to bear, but to be fair to our EEC partners I should say that they are extremely willing to do the things we ask them. The most recent example of this was yesterday, when the Nine were very willing to issue a very strong statement, to which I shall refer later in the day, supporting the British Government's initiative over Rhodesia.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Does the Foreign Secretary agree, following his helpful answer, that the time has now come to have a secretariat dealing with these matters as the burden on the person in office will be very great?

Mr. Skinner

What about public expenditure?

Mr. Crosland

I have a great deal of sympathy with what the hon. Member for Derbyshire, West (Mr. Scott-Hopkins) has said, and at the end of the day I think it would save public expenditure, not increase it. I have found most disconcerting the extent to which there is more than one single decision-making centre within the Community. This was referred to in the Tindemans Report, and I have a lot of sympathy with what Mr. Tindemans said.