HC Deb 05 May 1982 vol 23 cc152-4
46. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning current negotiations within the European Economic Community concerning adjustment of the British contribution to the Community budget.

Mr. Pym

The Foreign Ministers of the Community had a thorough discussion of the budget problem on 27 April and are agreed on the need for an urgent solution. The next discussion of this subject may take place during the meeting already planned for 8 and 9 May. I have been continuing to press for a settlement which will be fair for Britain and fair for the Community too.

Mr. Spearing

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that Britain will accept nothing less than the existing arrangements, preferably for a period of four rather than three years? In any consideration of political co-operation, is it not important that acceptance of our requirements as fair and just should be the first step to be taken by our so-called partners?

Mr. Pym

It is a pity that the arrangement agreed in 1980 did not endure longer. I should also like to negotiate a longer arrangement this time. I cannot say whether that will be possible, but my predecessor worked for that. Indeed, I have worked for that since taking office and will continue to do so. However, we shall have to see how the discussions go.

Mr. Stokes

In any discussions on the budget or wider aspects, will my right hon. Friend remind our EEC partners that after the last war it was British forces who liberated all those countries? We expect their support now that we are trying to liberate British territory.

Mr. Pym

My hon. Friend's remarks are perfectly true. However, we are grateful to the member States—I have expressed our gratitude to them—for the support that they have given us over the issue that is now causing us so much immediate difficulty. They came to our assistance positively and speedily and that has been very helpful.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the United Kingdom's bargaining position has not been circumscribed by concessions made in the negotiations on trade sanctions against Argentina? Will he further assure the House that the massive farm price increases that the Government agreed to last week were not the result of a deal made during the sanctions negotiations?

Mr. Pym

The action in the Falkland Islands and the help and support that we have received from the Community is not in any way associated with the budget or the mandate. In the meetings that I have had none of the Community Ministers suggested that that was so. Therefore, the hon. Gentleman can have confidence.