HC Deb 26 April 1978 vol 948 cc1375-7
49. Mr. Crawford

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet the President of the EEC.

Mr. Judd

My right hon. Friend expects that he will meet both the Danish President of the Community Council of Ministers and the President of the Commission at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 2nd May.

Mr. Crawford

Now that a precedent has been set, will the Minister tell the President of the EEC that no one from Scotland or England can be elected to the European Parliament unless he or she has at least 40 per cent. of the votes of his or her total electorate?

Mi. Judd

I am sure that all concerned are well aware of the hon. Gentleman's point.

Mr. Christopher Price

When my hon. Friend meets President Andersen and President Jenkins, will he ask them about the arrangements that are being set on foot to monitor Europe's agreement on firms in South Africa, so that we can make this code of conduct really work and have a policy on South Africa that links up with our policy on Rhodesia and Namibia?

Mr. Judd

The code of conduct adopted by the Nine is a very practical and significant step forward. We are anxious to see it applied effectively and, indeed, would like to see its principles extended to other countries in the OECD, beyond the Community itself.

Mr. Ian Lloyd

Since no national policy is likely to succeed on the very vexed question of shipbuilding, will the Minister, when he next meets the President of the EEC, ask what is the latest thinking of the Economic and Social Committee on this question, in particular on the disastrous competitive national shipbuilding subsidy race?

Mr. Judd

It will be interesting to have the comments of the Economic and Social Committee on the human consequences of policy on this front, but this is a central issue for the Ministers themselves.

Mr. Hoyle

When the meeting takes place with the President, will my hon. Friend please draw to his attention the effect that the German trading position with this country is having on our economic prospects? We are running a deficit with Germany which is greater than that with any other country. Will my hon. Friend ask what measures the Germans are taking to remedy this state of affairs?

Mr. Judd

As the meetings earlier this week demonstrated, the Governments of Germany and of this country are determined to work together in trying to find a way forward. We share a great deal of common concern in our analysis of the situation. We are both determined to see the issues of unemployment and inflation tackled. Above all, we want to generate growth. If we are to do this successfully, it will be important to work with the Community as a whole.