HC Deb 13 April 1983 vol 40 cc797-8
45. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items discussed at the meeting of Heads of Government of the members of the European Community will be placed on the agenda of further meetings of Councils of Ministers; and if any items are likely to be of legislative consequence.

Mr. Hurd

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24 March describing the main items discussed at the European Council. All of the Community matters discussed there are likely to be considered further at meetings of the Council of Ministers. I cannot at this stage be specific about which will lead to legislation.

Mr. Spearing

That being so, does the right hon. Gentleman accept that if the Heads of Government agree on a particular matter, which becomes the subject of legislative action, the Council of Ministers, which is the only constitutional body, can do little other than carry out the wishes of the Council, which at present is a non-treaty body? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that after the Prime Minister attends these Council meetings it would be much better if she made verbal statements to the House rather than statements in the form of written answers?

Mr. Hurd

I think that my right hon. Friend's statement was clear. The hon. Gentleman has many opportunities to question both her and Foreign Office Ministers on the matter. The European Council asked the Foreign Affairs Council to report back at the Stuttgart meeting in June on the British budgetary refund.

Mr. Neil Thorne

Will my right hon. Friend please do his best to ensure that the Helsinki agreement is considered by the Council of Ministers at an early date, especially its effect upon postal communications with the Soviet Union, which seems to be the main cause of current problems? We seem to have little assistance in getting my constituents' messages through to their Jewish colleagues in that totalitarian country.

Mr. Hurd

There is good co-ordination among the Ten on the stand to be taken at the Madrid conference. I shall ensure that my hon. Friend's point is considered by us and the Ten.

Mr. Ioan Evans

In Granada's "World in Action" programme on Monday night a film was shown entitled "The Golden Harvest", which drew attention to the tremendous amount of public funds that are being wasted by the common agricultural policy. Will the Government seek to bring about a fundamental reform of the CAP as a priority in their discussions in Europe?

Mr. Hurd

In discussing the Community's long-term financial structure we consider that the first priority is to ensure that there is a proper check on the growth in spending on agriculture.

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