HC Deb 26 April 1978 vol 948 cc1377-9
50. Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the opinion of the European Commission on the Portuguese application for membership.

Mr. Judd

We expect the Commission's opinion on the Portuguese application to be submitted to the Council in May.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I promised three minutes' injury time on this subject.

Mr. Arnold

Does the Minister agree with Mr. Natali, the Commissioner for Enlargement, that Portugal will need a transitional period of at least 10 years? Does he also agree with the Commission's view that enlargement will inevitably mean a greater use of majority voting procedures in the Council of Ministers?

Mr. Judd

There are obviously considerable economic considerations, both for Portugal and for the Community as a whole, with regard to Portuguese accession to the Community. A transitional phase will be necessary. The precise time has vet to be worked out, but it may well have to be a considerable period in order to enable Portugal to become fully and effectively a participant within the Community.

We are not convinced about the question of majority voting. For us, there will always remain major issues of national importance on which it should be recognised in the Community that we can proceed sensibly only on the basis of consensus.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Is my hon. Friend aware that the EEC is already preparing measures that discriminate against Portu gal, before its entry? It is taking action in respect of fortified wines, tomatoes and fish, which are the only viable industries that Portugal has. This is indirectly affecting the British consumer because of the tariffs that the EEC intends to put on those goods. Will my hon. Friend look at this very carefully before he supports any suggestions that Portugal should be maimed in this fashion?

Mr. Judd

Certainly the British Government have no desire to maim the Portuguese economy. We well understand the problems with which that country is confronted. Of course, until Portugal accedes to the Community it is a fact that she has to be treated as part of the general arrangements between the Community and the outside world. I hope that we can move forward steadily and effectively with accession—which Portugal is keen to achieve—so that we can treat her as a member of the Community and not as a country outside.

Mr. John Davies

I realise how serious and difficult are the economic problems that arise in connection with the admission of Portugal—indeed, also Spain and Greece—into the Community, but will the Minister bear in mind how immensely important it is to Portugal, from a political point of view, that early admission should take place? The sustenance of the rather early bud of renewed democracy in that country needs constant help. Will he bear this closely in mind?

Mr. Judd

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. From the Government's point of view, the whole purpose of enlargement is to underpin the process of democracy and the democratisation of Western Europe as a whole. We understand the importance that the Portuguese Government and people attach to accession. We shall be playing our part, as the British Government, in speeding that forward as rapidly as we practically can.

Mr. MacFarquhar

In view of that answer, which I welcome, will not my hon. Friend go a little further and show more flexibility on the issue of current economic negotiations with Portugal? Does not he realise that it would be disastrous if we rigidly adhered to the fact that Portugal is now a nation outside the Community in order to enforce certain things upon her textiles and other exports to the Community which might lead to an economic war from which Portugal would suffer, so that entry would probably not take place?

Mr. Judd

I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall try to be as imaginative as we can during this period of adjusting Portugal to membership of the Community. It is essentially a process of adjustment. I agree that during this period it would be very silly to take steps that were punitive in their approach to the Portuguese economy.