HC Deb 07 December 1983 vol 50 cc319-20
57. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he most recently met other European Community Foreign Ministers; and what subjects were discussed.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I met my Community colleagues on 4–6 December at the European Council, to which I accompanied my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The subjects discussed will be covered by my right hon. Friend in the statement she will be making immediately after Question Time today.

Mr. Skinner

Is it not time that even this thick-skinned Government understood that the Common Market summit — like many others—was a complete waste of time? Does not that fact vindicate those of us who, on 28 October 1971, refused to be carried away by the propaganda to vote for the Common Market, as were the Social Democrats and the rest? Does it not say much about the Common Market that it cannot settle matters discussed for 48 hours, but can manage to produce regulations to cover the length, weight and size of gherkins? What a carry on. Why does not the Foreign Secretary stand at the Dispatch Box and say that we will not send any contribution? That is the way to operate.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I am prepared to leave the hon. Gentleman in the increasingly eccentric isolation that his views represent. He would do well to consider the length of time, which has to be measured in years and not days, that the Labour party has taken in failing to solve its problems.

Mr. Budgen

Will my right hon. and learned Friend tell the House what percentage reduction in price for cereals and milk was proposed at Athens by the British Government?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

Our main proposal for milk was concentrated on reducing substantially the total volume of milk covered by Community arrangements and on proposing a price freeze for a significant period. We proposed that cereal prices should be lowered progressively, to get closer to world prices.

Mr. Ernie Ross

Point 2 of the Venice declaration referred to the traditional ties and common interests that link Europe to the middle east. Why was time not found to discuss a joint common initiative to help resolve the problems of the middle east?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

Some discussions on that subject took place between those who attended the Athens meeting, but no time remained for formal conclusions on such mattters. It would have been inappropriate to try to reach rushed conclusions, as most time had to be devoted to discussions on the main Community agenda.

Mr. John David Taylor

If there is still no reform of the CAP by March, will the Government be prepared to agree a new farm price review?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The longer the time that elapses before these crucial questions are agreed, the greater will become the constraints on the institutions of the Community, including the constraints within which Agriculture Ministers have to consider farm prices.