HC Deb 03 March 1982 vol 19 cc266-7
55. Mr. Squire

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the state of relations between the United Kingdom and other member States of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Squire

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the admittedly small chance of there being a future Labour Government who would withdraw from Europe puts a cloud over relations between ourselves and our European colleagues? Has my right hon. Friend read a recent article in the New Statesman by Ann Clwyd, the Labour European Member, which pointed out clearly that it is not enough for Labour Party spokesmen to talk about their internationalism, but that they must prove it in practice?

Mr. Atkins

Yes, Sir. The possibility of a future Labour Government seeking to withdraw Britain from the Community causes anxiety to our colleagues. However, I am happy to be able to reassure my hon. Friend that the likelihood of that is remote.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Is the Minister aware that any withdrawal from the Community will have a devastating effect on employment? Does he agree that the likelihood of achieving a similar favourable trading arrangement is an illusion of the Labour Party?

Mr. Cryer

Rubbish.

Mrs. Williams

Can the Lord Privy Seal assure the House that the Government will reconsider the present doctrine of additionality under which funds voted for the development of our inner cities and Northern Ireland are simply absorbed by the Treasury and do not go to the benefit of the cities for which they are voted?

Mr. Atkins

The second part of the right hon. Lady's question is more a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer than for me. Surprisingly, I agree with her on the first part of her question.

Mr. Heffer

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of us have already heard the stories about the devasting effects on employment, expecially when we were entering the Common Market? Is he aware that we were then told clearly by the advocates of entry to the Common Market that unless we joined millions of people would become unemployed? We entered the Common Market and millions are now unemployed.

Does the Minister agree that the negotiations on the budget proposals are causing a great deal of sourness? Is it not understandable that there will be sourness for as long as such problems face us, for as long as the CAP is not changed and for as long as the Rome Treaty cuts across the interests of the British people? Is it not better to accept the position of the Labour Party—

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Which one?

Mr. Heffer

—and get out of the Common Market than to continue the sourness?

Mr. Atkins

If the hon. Gentleman thinks that we can leave the Common Market without damage, he should consult his colleagues in the TUC.

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