HC Deb 27 June 1984 vol 62 cc989-90
68. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for increasing the effectiveness of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rifkind

Our ideas for increasing the effectiveness of the European Community and promoting its further development were set out in a paper which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to other Community Heads of Government earlier this month.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Does my hon. Friend agree that the British Government are more likely to attain objectives that are of real value to the United Kingdom, such as the removal of cross-border formalities and obstacles to trade in invisibles, if we do not indulge in cheap sneering at symbols, which may seem ridiculous to us but which are of considerable importance to people who value European unity?

Mr. Rifkind

We do not underestimate the importance of symbolic matters in the European Community, or elsewhere. We believe that with the full and heavy agenda, to which the Community must address itself in future, it is right to concentrate on the practical areas of integration, which will benefit the peoples of Europe.

Mr. Roy Hughes

May I draw the Minister's attention to the threat to the tinplate sector of the British steel industry caused by a recent EC directive? Will he do what he can to ensure that that directive is put aside?

Mr. Rifkind

The hon. Gentleman will wish to address that question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Government have played a prominent role in ensuring that Britain's involvement in reforms of the steel industry are fair and equitable to the British people and with respect to our overall Community obligations.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does my hon. Friend agree that two of the most effective proposals to make the European Community more acceptable to the Scots would be to stop the dumping of raspberries from Poland in the United Kingdom, and to remove the barriers to the sale of Scotch whisky to Greece?

Mr. Rifkind

My hon. Friend will agree that the views of the Scots about the European Community are likely to be only marginally influenced by raspberries. I accept that the Community is meant to stand for free trade between member countries and that it is right and proper that that should apply throughout all the various sectors, including those of particular importance to Scottish exports.