HC Deb 18 February 1981 vol 999 cc267-8
32. Mr. Knox

asked the Lord Privy Seal what initiatives he is proposing to take to achieve closer co-operation with his European Economic Community colleagues in foreign policy; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Ian Gilmour

My right hon. and noble Friend has made a number of suggestions for the strengthening of foreign policy co-operation. I refer my hon. Friend to the speech made at the Ubersee club in Hamburg, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Knox

What progress has been made towards setting up a permanent secretariat attached to the Council of Ministers? Does my right hon. Friend agree that such a secretariat would contribute to and facilitate Community foreign policies?

Sir Ian Gilmour

As my hon. Friend knows, that suggestion has been made, but I do not want to anticipate any decisions of the Foreign Ministers. We favour additional support for the Presidency, possibly by a small team of officers seconded from national diplomatic services, although we want to avoid creating a new bureaucracy. We are interested in our partners' views.

Mr. Healey

Will Her Majesty's Government support the initiative of the Bonn Government to promote a broadly based conference of all parties in the civil war in El Salvador to try to bring that tragic conflict to an end? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some danger of the American Government pre-empting action, which would be greatly to the disadvantage of Europe and the Alliance as a whole?

Sir Ian Gilmour

E1 Salvador was briefly discussed in our political co-operation yesterday. Ambassador Eagleburger is at present visiting several capitals in Europe to discuss the matter. He is coming to see me tomorrow. It was agreed yesterday that any decisions on action by the Community should wait until we have heard his views.

Mr. Hal Miller

What is the outcome of the EEC-Japan trade discussions in the context of co-operation on foreign policy, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade told me that he would be in a position to give that reply today?

Sir Ian Gilmour

We had a long and satisfactory discussion yesterday in which it was agreed that there should be surveillance of certain Japanese imports, namely, cars, television sets, tubes and certain machine tools. The unsatisfactory nature of the Japanese response to previous representations should be brought home to them. The Commission should not only monitor what is happening but should pursue the matter in further contact with the Japanese.

Mr. Newens

In arriving at a decision on El Salvador to put before our EEC colleagues, will the Minister bear in mind that many people in this country are horrified by the moral and milittary support of the miliary junta with its appalling record of murder, political assassination and terror? Should we not be seen not to have double standards?

Sir Ian Gilmour

None of us should have double standards. It is equally important for us to wait to hear what the American Government have to say. There has been disagreeable violence by both sides in E1 Salvador.