Community Reform (Hansard, 23 January 1985)

§ 38. Mr. Teddy Taylor
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining his aims for the achievement of reforms in the European Economic Community in 1985.

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
Our aims were set out in our paper "Europe—The Future", copies of which are available in the Library of the House, and in the Queen's Speech of November last year.

§ Mr. Taylor
Will my right hon. and learned Friend make it clear that in 1985 the Government will provide no official co-operation whatsoever to the bands of so-called European Members of Parliament who descend on this country to investigate matters of purely domestic interest, such as the conduct of the police during the miners' strike? Will he deny access to such groups?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
The question of such groups having access to this country does not arise, as I understand it, because the bureau of the European Parliament, the Standing Committee, decided that the Committee could meet only in Strasbourg, Brussels or Luxembourg—its working places. Certainly I can give my hon. Friend the assurance that we will not co-operate with inquiries on subjects outside the European Parliament's responsibility. That includes policing matters. It is deplorable that the Labour party allowed this matter to be dragged on to the Floor at Strasbourg, with very scant respect for the authority of this House.

§ Dr. Owen
Does the Foreign Secretary agree that it is now a major British interest to establish a genuine internal market, particularly in insurance and financial services? This becomes ever more important with the enlargement of the Community to 12. Does he further agree that that will be achieved only by more extensive use of majority voting and that Britain should not block but should encourage this?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
I certainly agree with the right hon. Gentleman about the great importance for employment prospects throughout the Community of swift and comprehensive progress in establishing an effective internal common market in insurance and many other services. I do not believe that it is necessary to contemplate any change in the existing treaty provisions, provided that they are used effectively to achieve substantial advances towards a proper internal market.