HC Deb 22 March 1978 vol 946 cc1501-4
3. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet European Economic Community leaders; and if he will make a statement.

9. Mr. George Gardiner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to attend a full meeting of the Council of Ministers.

25. Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the other European Economic Community Foreign Ministers.

Dr. Owen

I am due to meet Community Foreign Miinsters at the meeting of the Council of Ministers to be held in Luxembourg on 4th April.

Mr. Skinner

Have my right hon. Friend and his friends in Europe ever discussed the question of coloured people with citizenship rights in the Common Market, which could loosely be called the European sub-continent? Will he confirm that there are several million coloured people in that area, and tell the House that, irrespective of the report of any Select Committee—or anyone else—on these matters, the Treaty of Rome lays down that any of these people can come to this country if they so desire?

Dr. Owen

There are informal discussions, particularly between Ministers who hold the equivalent of the Home Secretarys position. Several of cur Common Market partners have experience of immigration and multi-racial societies. They have tackled the issue in many ways and with commendable skill. They have had problems, just as we have had, but I think there is much that we can learn from our Community partners about immigration policy and a non-racial society, as, indeed, there is much to learn in many other ways.

Mr. Gardiner

In view of the important political aspects on the question of economic and monetary union, are there any proposals for the Council of Ministers to discuss this subject when the right hon. Gentleman is present, as well as the Economic Ministers?

Dr. Owen

This is being discussed in the Foreign Council as part of the discussion in preparation for the European Council, because the matter tends to be on the agenda of European Council meetings. It has been discussed by Foreign Ministers and will no doubt be discussed in the future.

Mr. William Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that if, at the meeting to which he has referred, an agreed date is made for direct elections, the British Government will give an unconditional commitment to go along with it?

Dr. Owen

Before we can give an absolute commitment we have to be assured that we will have Royal Assent to the Bill.

Mr. Hamilton

I will give my right hon. Friend that.

Dr. Owen

My hon. Friend has assumed this new role, for which he has been striving for some years. I assure him that we shall not be laggards with regard to a firm date, and we are confident that we shall be able to fulfil that date.

Sir A. Meyer

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity to explain to his hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner), and other hon. Members below the Gangway on the Government side, that the economic future of this country is indissolubly bound up with our membership of the Common Market, just as our security is bound up with our membership of NATO?

Dr. Owen

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that membership of the Community is about all aspects of policy. It is a partnership of nine member States that goes over a whole range of issues—not just foreign policy but domestic issues. By combining together we can add to our strength.

Mr. Fernyhough

Does my right hon. Friend agree that whatever prohibitions we may make with regard to Indians, Pakistanis or people from Bangladesh, the one thing that is perfectly clear is that any member of the EEC who is brown or dark-skinned cannot be prevented from coming to this country if he so desires?

Miss Joan Lestor

And bringing his children, up to the age of 21.

Dr. Owen

Yes, there are times when we must look to the legislation and commitments that we have as members of the Common Market. In this matter I am only too glad to look at the practice of other European countries from which we have something to learn. But that is not exclusive, because I believe they have something to learn from us. The Government are quite convinced that we must stand by the commitments that have been made by successive Governments, particularly the commitments entered into by the Heath Government in 1971 and 1972.

Mr. Hurd

I should like to return to the point made by the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton). On Monday the Minister of State told the House that the Government would be taking proposals about the date on which direct elections should be held to the forthcoming EEC Summit, but he did not tell us what those proposals would be. Will the Secretary of State please lift the veil? Is not the House of Commons entitled to know when the Government think the first round of these elections should be held?

Dr. Owen

I believe that there is a specific Question on the Order Paper about this matter, which I do not wish to anticipate. In any case, these will only be discussions. The decision will be taken—at least, it is hoped it will be taken—by the European Council.