HC Deb 30 March 1977 vol 929 cc403-5
39. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest proposals for a Europassport.

Mr. Judd

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answers that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey (Sir A. Royle) and the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Griffiths) on 2nd February. Since that time the uniform passport has been discussed in the European Community Working Group on Passport Union but several outstanding issues remain to be resolved.

Mr. Marten

Will the Minister now give a definite assurance on this matter, unclouded by Foreign Office verbiage? In the exercise of the Royal Prerogative, will he refuse to agree to the imposition of a Europassport until this House has taken a decision on the matter? In giving his reply, will he refrain from using words such as "desirable" or phrases such as "This is a matter for the Leader of the House"? We should like a firm assurance that no action will be taken to finalise the matter until we have debated it and decided it.

Mr. Judd

I agree in the most categorical terms that the House should have an opportunity to discuss the matter. The timing of the debate must be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

Mr. Heffer

Why cannot my hon. Friend say that the House of Commons "will" have such a debate and "will" take a decision? In view of the fact that there is no demand whatever among British people for this course, can we not tell our partners in the Common Market "Forget it"?

Mr. Judd

I assure my hon. Friend that nobody understands more than I do the strong feeling in this House on this matter. I give him my absolute word that what he and others have said has registered with us. We shall make sure that the House ought to have this opportunity, but the timing of the matter lies with my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Is not the standardisation of travel documents far less important than the harmonisation of policies in Europe? Will the Minister leave the British passport alone and concentrate instead on making Britain a good citizen of the Community rather than the leading backslider that it is now becoming?

Mr. Judd

We believe that we can do nothing but strengthen the Community if we make sure that agreements reached by the Community, in whatever sphere of policy, genuinely reflect the interests of all the members of the Community and the British people, who are as much a part of the Community as is anybody else.