HC Deb 24 June 1981 vol 7 cc244-5
42. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will clarify the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the enlargement of the European Economic Community.

Sir Ian Gilmour

There is no lack of clarity. We have consistently supported the membership of Portugal and Spain, as we did the accession of Greece.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

Is the Minister aware that at the last count from the Department of Employment, there were 620,000 adult Common Market nationals living in Britain, of whom 410,000 were at work, compared with only 80,000 British nationals working in the EEC? Is it sane or sensible for the Government to sign a treaty that will give an unrestricted right to millions of Spaniards to live, work and enjoy welfare services in the United Kingdom when unemployment has reached such horrific proportions?

Sir Ian Gilmour

That is a matter for the Treaty of Accession that is signed between Spain and Portugal and the Community. But I am sure that my hon. Friend, with his great interest in these matters, will appreciate, as the previous Labour Government appreciated, the very considerable political value that there is for the West in reinforcing democracy in Spain and encouraging and welcoming Spanish entry into the Community.

Mr. Cryer

Will the Minister accept that there are many reservations by people about the enlargement of the EEC, particularly bearing in mind the effect that enlargement may well have on the textile and clothing industries? Will the Minister assure the House that in any enlargement there will be secure and safe arrangements to prevent disruption and loss of jobs in the British clothing and textile industry, which is, as he knows, already suffering markedly from the present loss of jobs?

Sir Ian Gilmour

I do not think that there are many reservations about that. Even the representatives of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, which is not notably European-minded, visited the Foreign Office recently in order to urge Spanish entry. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that there should be safeguards. I have assured him about that before, and I am sure that he is aware of the position.

Mr. Dykes

Will my right hon. Friend also confirm that Spanish entry can be achieved without undermining and endangering the basic interests of the British wine industry and the legal designation of British sherry?

Sir Ian Gilmour

Yes, I am sure that that is true.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Further to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer), is it not the case, even today, without the free entry of workers, that the hotel and catering industry has been inundated with Spanish workers, to the detriment of unemployed British workers? Is it not the case that if Spain is entitled to take advantage of the free flow of labour, we shall have hotel and catering workers from Spain flooding the British hotel and catering industry?

Sir Ian Gilmour

The hon. Gentleman cannot have it both ways. He cannot say that it is happening already and that it will be worse in the future. I do not believe that the Spaniards are taking jobs that British workers wish to have.