HC Deb 13 March 1991 vol 187 cc936-7
9. Mr. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress at the two European Community intergovernmental conferences.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The United Kingdom continues to play a full and constructive role in both intergovernmental conferences. The conference on EMU met most recently on 25 February, attended by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State attended a meeting of the political union conference on 4 March. Ministers' personal representatives meet about weekly to examine the issues in more detail.

Mr. Robertson

When the Prime Minister on Monday in Bonn said, I want us to be where we belong. At the very heart of Europe. Working with our partners in building the future", could he have been referring to the social charter? All other 11 countries in the Community subscribe to the social charter, as does the Christian Democratic Union of Germany. Why cannot we, too, not take on board such progressive European legislation? Is it because the Prime Minister's speeches and words are simply a symptom of, or a smokescreen for, the chronic indecision that lies at the heart of Government in this matter?

Mr. Garel-Jones

The United Kingdom fully accepts the social dimension of the Community, but there is no question of changing our course on the social charter. We opposed it in 1989. The Rome European Council rightly reaffirmed that the Community solution to social issues should take account of subsidiarity, creating and developing employment and the need to respect the different customs and traditions of member states. That is the United Kingdom message.

Mr. Cash

Can my hon. Friend give us an assurance that there is no question at the intergovernmental conference of our conceding a single currency, a central bank or political union along the lines proposed by Chancellor Kohl?

Mr. Garel-Jones

The Government have frequently made it clear that there is no question of our accepting the imposition of a single currency.

Mr. John D. Taylor

What is the Minister's reaction to the suggestion at one intergovernmental conference that, on a rotational basis, Germany and the other European countries should replace the United Kingdom on the Security Council of the United Nations?

Mr. Garel-Jones

There has been no such suggestion. My reaction is that it is not a good idea.

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