Joint Policies (Hansard, 24 June 1981)

§ 41. Sir Anthony Meyer
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek during the British Presidency of the European Community to strengthen the role of the European Commission in developing joint European policies, particularly in relations with third countries.

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
Under the treaties the Commission already has a major role in the development of Community policies in the external field under the common commercial policy. It also has a substantial part to play in the implementation of those policies. During the United Kingdom Presidency, we intend to work in close co-operation with the Commission in all areas of Community policy, including the Community's external relations.

§ Sir Anthony Meyer
Is it not becoming ever clearer that Britain, like the other members of the EEC, is dismally incapable of getting a good bargain out of third countries such as Japan? Yet we persist in acting alone. Would we not get a better bargain for ourselves and the other members of the EEC if we were to entrust to the Commission the role that was originally assigned to it, which was that of negotiating foreign trade agreements?

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
I largely agree with my hon. Friend, except that I think he will agree that the arrangements we already have with Japan on an industry-by-industry basis should not be given up until there is something equally as strong, if not stronger, to put in its place. I agree that the Community as a body is a stronger negotiating agent than we are by ourselves. Therefore the more the Community can negotiate on a united basis, the better for all concerned.

§ Mr. Healey
Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that when the Prime Minister attends the summit meeting of the Community later this week she will support the view of the other major European countries that the capital of the World Bank should be doubled, and that nothing would do more to help the Third world countries in their present dangerous situation than a concerted European effort to get down interest rates and the exchange rate of the dollar, which is inflicting far greater burdens on the Third world than the increase in oil prices?

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
As I understand it, the capital of the World Bank has already been doubled and my right hon. Friend would not wish to go back on that decision. I agree 244 with the right hon. Gentleman that this is important. The Foreign Affairs Council discussed it the other day. I do not think that the European Council would be best employed in spending too much time on United States' financial policies. If need be, that can be discussed at the Ottawa summit.

§ Mr. Healey
The right hon. Gentleman misunderstood the advice that his hon. Friend was trying to give him. It is true that when I was Chancellor I succeeded in getting the capital of the World Bank doubled. Now, more than two years later, there is a proposal to double it again. Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that the Prime Minister supports those proposals?

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
The Prime Minister and the Government are extremely concerned about the North-South problem, but I cannot anticipate what decisions will be made in the European Council.

§ Mr. Beaumont-Dark
During the British Presidency, will the Government try to achieve a united approach with the Japanese, something that we have not been able to obtain in five years, instead of the Japanese being allowed to import to the destruction of all countries because the EEC can never agree about anything?

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
I cannot accept my hon. Friend's conclusion. The Community has made progress and under our Presidency we shall endeavour to build on what has been achieved.

§ Mr. Deakins
Can the Lord Privy Seal confirm that foreign policy is not mentioned in the basic treaties of the European Community, that it is a matter for member States acting individually or collectively, and, in no circumstances is if a matter, as implied by his hon. Friend the Member for Flint, West (Sir A. Meyer), for the European Commission?

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
I do not think that that was implied by my hon. Friend. Trading policy is a matter for the European Community, and the Community has been successful in it. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that considerable progress has been made in European political co-operation, and we welcome such progress.