§ 41. Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Overseas Development if Her Majesty's Government are making any firm proposals for the revision of STABEX in the course of the Lome renegotiations now in progress.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. John Tomlinson)We have agreed with our Community partners that in the renegotiation of Lome we should generally seek to consolidate the present scheme, and to define more closely its objectives. We have also suggested or supported certain technical changes which are now being considered in the Community before discussion with the ACP.
§ Mr. HooleyHave the Government considered that it might be more advantageous to put influence and money behind the development of the common fund, with possibly the IMF compensatory financing facility, rather than behind 23 STABEX, which is limited both in resources and in scope?
§ Mr. TomlinsonMy hon. Friend raises a very important question. Price stabilisation and earnings stabilisation are clearly related, but they serve different purposes. STABEX may be needed by the producers for reasons unconnected with price stability. It is certainly an important element within Lome, but it is geographically restricted, and the matters that my hon. Friend has raised are important. They should be taken into consideration. Indeed they are being given serious thought as being complementary to some of the work being done by STABEX.
§ Mr. Tim RentonCan the hon. Gentleman explain the paradox that both he and the Minister see the importance of STABEX, wish to expend and improve it, recognise the value of the Lome Convention—all of them EEC initiatives—and yet he and she are so anti-Common Market? Are they not in danger of talking with two tongues, both barbed?
§ Mr. TomlinsonThat supplementary question reflects the abysmal ignorance of the hon. Gentleman. If he examines the records of those to whom he has referred he will find that their views do not coincide with the views attributed to them. I make no apology for having been a consistent pro-Marketeer, and I support a number of radical changes from our position inside. If the hon. Gentleman is asking whether there is any conflict the answer is "No". We have given our full support to the arrangements being made within the Community for this very important process in developing an outward-looking Community.