HC Deb 14 November 1984 vol 67 cc675-7
55. Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress in negotiations, on the accession of Spain and Portugal to the EEC.

Mr. Rifkind

Negotiations have been substantially completed in 10 of the 17 chapters in the Spanish accession negotiations, and 11 of the 17 chapters in the Portuguese negotiations. Negotiations continue on the outstanding issues, including such difficult problems as agriculture, fisheries and Spanish industrial tariffs, with the aim of resolving them in time for Spain and Portugal to enter the Community on 1 January 1986.

Mrs. Clwyd

Is not the date of accession rapidly receding once again? Will this not be seen as a sign of a lack of enthusiasm and good will on the part of other members of the European Community? Does the Minister agree that it is unfortunate that Portugal and Spain are linked in the accession negotiations, because the Portuguese negotiations could be concluded earlier than the Spanish negotiations?

Mr. Rifkind

The hon. Lady is right to attach importance to the date of 1 January 1986. We still believe that that date can be adhered to. There has been more progress in the Portuguese negotiations, but even they are not yet complete. It seems sensible therefore, since many of the issues are similar, for the negotiations to go hand in hand.

Mr. Body

As Spain has been building up the largest fishing fleet on the continent of Europe in preparation for entry into the Common Market, will my hon. Friend make plain this afternoon to what extent he can give an assurance to the fishermen of England — the fishermen of this country—that their livelihoods will not be endangered?

Mr. Rifkind

We attach enormous importance to the issues that affect the fisherman of the United Kingdom as a whole. Negotiations involve fisheries, which is one of the most difficult issues to resolve. We have made it clear that the common fisheries policy, which was agreed only after many years of difficult and delicate negotiation, cannot be disrupted as a result of Spanish accession. I believe that the Spanish authorities are realistic enough to realise that any fisheries agreement must take account of the existing interests of member states.

Mr. Johnston

What will the Community be able to do to help Portugal when it joins? It is the poorest country in Europe. Unless there is a significant increase in the Community budget to enable expenditure to take place in Portugal through the regional and social funds, will not all the talk about political good will and democratic stability be seen as empty rhetoric?

Mr. Rifkind

Portugal will be the poorest member of the enlarged Community and cannot be required to be a net contributor, however much the existing arrangements might otherwise point in that direction. Negotiations are still to take place on the own resources chapter and I am sure that all the circumstances will be taken into account.

Mr. Harris

I welcome what my hon. Friend says about the fishing industry and about the threat posed by Spain, but does he accept that there is considerable alarm and hostility over the possiblity that the whole question of fishing will now be pushed off until after Spain's accession? Does he agree that the uncertainty which that will cause will be incredibly damaging, not least to the fishermen of the south-west of England?

Mr. Rifkind

I do not believe that there is any danger of that. The main issues to be resolved during the current negotiations concern the length of the transitional period, transitional arrangements for access to waters and resources and fishery relations with third countries. All interested parties realise that the Community must reach a view in advance of Spain's accession. I am sure that that point will be put to the Spanish Government with great force.

Mr. Foulkes

Is the Minister aware that the Opposition share the Government's concern that Spain and Portugal should be admitted to the Community on schedule? We are also concerned to ensure that the interests of the fishermen of the whole of the United Kingdom are protected. Is the Minister aware that the Opposition share the widespread outrage of the British public at British criminals being able to hide in Spain outwith the jurisdiction of British law? Can the Minister confirm that a condition of Spain's accession will be an agreement on extradition? How far have we progressed towards that?

Mr. Rifkind

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's statement on behalf of the Opposition confirming that they, too, attach importance to Spanish and Portuguese membership of the Community.

Extradition matters do not fall within the negotiations for Spanish membership of the Community.