§ 81. Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made at the ad hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs concerning an external identity for the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RifkindIn its interim report, which is available in the Library of the House, the committee has identified a number of useful ideas to enable the Ten to strengthen their foreign policy co-operation and make it more effective, complementing the Community's existing trade and development policies.
§ Mr. HaynesCan the Minister inform the House whether, when the Prime Minister has discussions with the President of the United States, she will urge him to abandon his policy of destruction and destabilisation in Central America? [Interruption.] Will she bear in mind the Dublin declaration, which clearly said that the only solution to the Central American problem—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am not sure that that question has much to do with the EC.
§ Mr. HaynesIt has.
§ Mr. SpeakerHas it? All right.
§ Mr. HaynesIt is the bully boys over yonder who are causing the trouble. Will the Prime Minister bear in mind the Dublin declaration, which was associated with the EC, and which stated that the solution to the Central American problem lay not in the use of armed force but in political efforts?
§ Mr. RifkindAs I am the British member of the ad hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that this is not a subject that we have discussed so far. It may be appropriate for our next meeting, and I shall bear the hon. Gentleman's interests in mind. I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will bear in mind any statement made by the Heads of Government at meetings that she attends.
§ Mr. YeoIs my hon. Friend aware that most people are far less concerned with the development of an external identity with the Community than with the removal of the many obstacles to the free movement of trade and services within the Community and with the ending of such absurdities as the directive that requires businesses with a turnover of only £18,000 to register for VAT?
§ Mr. RifkindOne of the unanimous recommendations of the interim report of the committee to which the question refers is a strong desire for early and maximum 1031 progress on the completion of the internal market. This is one of the most important priorities for the British Government.