HC Deb 24 July 1985 vol 83 cc1029-31
7. Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will be submitting any proposals to the forthcoming European Economic Community intergovernmental conference; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

We have already put forward a number of practical proposals. They remain valid. I expect specific proposals from other member states to be put forward as a basis for discussion at the conference. In the light of that discussion we shall consider whether to put forward any further ideas ourselves.

Mr. Deakins

Does the Foreign Secretary support the Prime Minister's view, expressed recently in the House, that amendments to the treaty of Rome are not required?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The view that we took when we went to the meeting in Milan was that it was possible to achieve the necessary progress on the basis of our proposals, without treaty amendment. As the Prime Minister said in her statement to the House after the Milan summit, We must go to that…conference and consider what is put before us.

Mr. Dykes

Now that we appear to be more enthusiastic about the conference, will my right hon. and learned Friend reassure the House that we shall attend with positive and enthusiastic proposals? If a good number of the founding member states want to make some changes to the treaty—without there being too many—would it be possible for us to accept that with good grace and common sense?

Mr. Beaumont-Dark

Good God, no.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The important thing, which is well known to my hon. Friend, is that we must achieve a conclusion of the agenda before us as quickly as possible in order to promote effective common action and further progress within the Community. We shall be approaching the whole agenda at the intergovernmental conference with a view to concluding those matters and achieving as much progress as we can.

Mrs. Clwyd

Will the Foreign Secretary impress on his colleagues that Community aid to Turkey should depend on that country's return to democracy? Will he bring to their attention the new report by Amnesty International showing that torture of political prisoners in Turkey is systematic and widespread and that nothing has changed in that country since the beginning of this year?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I am able to challenge the last part of the hon. Lady's question forthwith, because the parts of Turkey subject to martial law have been substantially reduced since the beginning of this year. That is indicative of the progress that we wish to see towards the restoration of full democracy in Turkey, which is important.

Mr. Budgen

I remind my right hon. and learned Friend of the robust and patriotic words of the Prime Minister who said on her return from Milan, "I do not think there is any need for any amendment to the treaty." Will my right hon. and learned Friend make it clear that the Government rule out any proposals for amendment to the treaty that might come forward at the intergovernmental conference in the autumn?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I remind my hon. Friend of the equally robust and patriotic words of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister who said: We must go to that…conference and consider what is put before us."—[Official Report, 2 July 1985; Vol. 82, c. 191.] It would be foolish to go to such a conference with preconceived ideas. Our objective, in the interests of the economic policy and politics of this country, must be to secure effective agreement so that the Community can make the sort of progress that we all want to see achieved.

Mr. George Robertson

Now that the Foreign Secretary has taken to fudging up everything that the Prime Minister has said in her robust comments, will he tell the House what he will do at the intergovernmental conference to protect this country from changes in the voting procedures which, even without a change in the treaty, could easily lead to the elimination of the Luxembourg compromise? Will he resist any procedural change that will make costly tax harmonisation possible, and will he recognise and admit to the House that any intergovernmental conference that has no agenda, so little time for preparation and nobody agreeing on what the eventual outcome will be, is a recipe for misunderstanding, disillusionment and disenchantment?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The hon. Gentleman has a capacity which astonishes even me for casting gloom and doubt on every sensible proposal before the House. He must recognise the importance of going to the conference with a view to achieving effective progress in a direction that is important for this country. That is how we approach all proposals in the Community. The hon. Gentleman will recall that it was agreed at the Milan conference that proposals for tax harmonisation should be remitted to Finance Ministers for further consideration, because they cause equal doubt and difficulty to a number of member states. As for the Luxembourg compromise, the hon. Gentleman will also accept that many states recognise and emphasise what the Community recognises, that it is not possible in the Community to disregard or overrule the vital national interests of any country. That having been said, it is of vital national interest for the Community to achieve co-ordination and unity on the progress that is necessary.