HC Deb 09 June 1982 vol 25 cc203-5
34. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his current aims for achieving reforms in the European Economic Community.

Mr. Hurd

We are working for progress in many matters, including the development of non-agricultural Community policies, changes to the CAP, a fisheries settlement, arrangements to correct our budget problem in 1983 and beyond, and clarification of the procedures for decision-taking in the Council.

Mr. Taylor

After 10 years of disappointment experienced in negotiations under Governments of both parties, can the Minister see any way in which we can achieve permanent budgetary restructuring that does not involve dismantling, or Britain's removal from, the CAP? Has my right hon. Friend seen this morning's Hansard, which shows that we are now paying food import taxes of about £1 per pound on beef and of over 50p per pound on butter and that exports of cheap subsidised food to Russia are breaking all records?

Mr. Hurd

We made some progress during the course of last year in reaching agreement on the way in which the balance of Community policies and Community spending could be shifted away from the predominance of agriculture. My hon. Friend, who follows these matters with care, will know that the figures show that some progress has been made in that direction. It is certainly not enough. We have also achieved, in contrast to the previous Government, substantial refunds on our budget contribution. Again, it is not fully satisfactory and not for long enough. To some extent therefore, I share my hon. Friend's disappointment. I regard that, as I think he does, as a reason for persevering rather than despairing.

Mr. McNamara

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement, widely reported yesterday, that we are to come to an agreement on the common fisheries policy? Can he comment on these rumours? Will he give an undertaking that we shall maintain the 12-mile limit for British fisheries, a 50-mile dominant zone and that there will be adequate compensation for deep water fleets for the losses they have made and that jobs will be obtained for the men who have lost them?

Mr. Hurd

These are matters for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who, together with his Minister of State, is defending British fishing interests with great staunchness. A good deal of work has been done on this subject recently. There is an important meeting of the Fisheries Council next week. I do not think that I had better go further.

Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reforms in European Economic Community procedures he proposes.

Mr. Pym

I am not sure why I did not group this with earlier questions. The answer is that it is necessary to discuss the Community's decision-making procedures, and that we shall do on 20 June.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Foreign Secretary in a position to give the House up-to-date information on the arrangements to be made for the forthcoming assembly elections? Is he impressing on other members of the Common Market the fact that the system of proportional representation that they are trying to foist upon us is completely alien to British tradition? Will he further assure the House that he is doing what he can to discourage the use of the term "European Parliament"? It is not a parliament at all, but an assembly—and a pretty useless and expensive one at that.

Mr. Pym

This matter which, I agree with the hon. Gentleman, is important, is under consideration by the Council and by the Government. I have no proposal to make at the moment.

Mr. Budgen

Has my right hon. Friend had the opportunity of discussing with the 11 members of the European Democratic Party their vote to the effect that the farm price issue should be decided by a majority decision? In view of the fact that one of them, my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Sir B. Rhys Williams) is present today, can he say whether he has received any assurance that there will be no repetition of that conduct?

Mr. Pym

I have not had such a discussion as my hon. Friend suggests, although it might occur at some moment. I have no proposal to change the decision-making procedures in so far as they are laid down in the Treaty. It may be the case that other members of the Community will propose changes in due course, but I have no proposals to make at the moment.