§ Q5. Mr. SternTo ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 December.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Mr. SternWill my right hon. Friend take time today to congratulate our right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary on the accord that he announced yesterday on the subject of Gibraltar? That accord does not involve any loss of sovereignty and will lead to better relationships with Spain and cheaper air fares throughout Europe.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, congratulations are very much in order to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary on negotiating this agreement, which 1102 will be of great benefit to Europe in terms of cheaper air fares and air liberalisation. That accord has been agreed without any derogation from the sovereignty of Gibraltar and gives the Gibraltarians the possibility of joining that agreement if they wish to do so.
§ Mr. William RossDoes the Prime Minister agree that the decision of the Government of the Irish Republic to refer extradition applications from the United Kingdom to their Attorney-General will make extradition from the Irish Republic to the United Kingdom an extremely political act? Does the Prime Minister further agree that it allows the Government of the Irish Republic to increase pressure for judicial change in the United Kingdom in exchange for such extraditions? During her pleasant flight this afternoon, will the Prime Minister reflect that such a power would not be created by the Irish Government if it was not their intention to use it?
§ The Prime MinisterOn the last occasion that I answered from the Dispatch Box I answered a question about the extradition arrangements. The old extradition arrangements that we had were excellent and fair. Neither side looked through the warrant. They accepted the warrant and the fact that when a warrant was presented there was evidence and intention to prosecute. I believe that the arrangements now — the measures that have recently gone through the Dail in the Republic—are a step backwards, because they undo that most excellent arrangement. I made it clear that extradition will be more difficult. I see no reason why we, on our side, should ever attempt to make extradition more difficult. Indeed, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has done everything possible, in concert with Europe, to make extradition easier and to ensure that the people against whom there are serious charges are extradited to the country that requires them so that they can be properly and fully tried.
§ Q6. Sir John Biggs-DavisonTo ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 3 December.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave some moments ago.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonIn preparing her efforts to ensure common sense in the Common Market at Copenhagen—[Interruption.]—whatever the Opposition may think, my right hon. Friend has the support of the whole country—will she draw encouragement, not only from the backing of public opinion here, but from the support given by the West German people, as shown in a recent public opinion poll?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful for the support of my hon. Friend and of colleagues. It is vital that we tackle the issue of agricultural surpluses in the way proposed by the Commission—by stabilisers for each and every product. The worst thing that could happen would be a message from the European Council that, once again, we had run away from the issue instead of tackling it.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will be resolute in our approach to the Council meeting and in our performance at it.