§ 2.42 p.m.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS BOROUGHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when a statement will be made giving the heads of the agreement on a common agricultural policy between Common Market countries.]
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, the agreements on a common agricultural policy reached by the members of the European Economic Community have not yet been published. We are informed that the provisional texts are to be examined by a special Committee composed of jurists and linguists from the member countries, with a view to the simultaneous issue of definitive texts in the four Community languages, and that these texts are unlikely to be available for some little time. As soon as the texts are published copies in French will be placed in the Library of the House, and as soon as a translation into English can be prepared copies of this also will be placed in the Printed Paper Office of the House. Because these texts were not available it was decided that the next ministerial meeting in our negotiations would not be held until February 22, to give us time to study the texts and to allow the Six to have consultations among themselves.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS BOROUGHMy Lords, does it not appear from that that it may well be the case that, before these publications are available in English, the Government will have practically concluded their negotiations upon the matters covered by the agreement arrived at by the Six countries?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I should hope not. I should hope that the translation will be available to the House in a reasonable time. As I have said, the meeting which was to be held earlier has been postponed until February 22, in order that we may have consultations among ourselves upon the text as it finally emerges from the translators. I hope that that will give time for Her Majesty's Government to consider the position and for Parliament to be acquainted with the full text.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS BOROUGHMy Lords, I gather that the Lord Privy Seal is to resume these negotiations on February 22, just over three weeks ahead. Am I to understand that he will do so, before having consulted in detail either the National Farmers' Union or the National Union of Agricultural Workers on the matters which he is going to negotiate upon? Do these bodies already know the terms? Have they been informed, or are they being informed; and if so, in what detail?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, the Question on the Order Paper that I am answering relates to "the heads of the agreement on a common agricultural policy," and asks when they will be made available. The answer I have given is that we want to be certain that we have the right text. Therefore we are waiting for the authoritative translation of these arrangements which have been arrived at between the Six. I hope that it will be available in a comparatively short time. If the noble Viscount will allow me, I should like to consult my right honourable friend the Lord Privy Seal as to what consultations he will be having before he goes to his meeting on February 22, and perhaps if the noble Viscount likes to put down another Question after I have had these consultations, I shall be in a better position to answer him.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS BOROUGHMy Lords, I will repeat the Question for Thursday. But I wish to ask the indulgence of the House to point out to the Foreign Secretary that the constituents on both the farmers' side and the workers' side are exceedingly anxious about this matter. If we could be told that they are now in possession of the full details of the agreement, however they have got them, and will be consulted by the Minister representing the Government in the negotiations before he goes, it may give them a little more confidence. In any case, I think the present position is very unsatisfactory.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, what I think is absolutely essential is to have the authoritative text and the authoritative translation, so that we all know exactly what we are talking about. When we have that, no doubt my right honourable friend the Lord Privy Seal will decide whether it is right and proper for him, and whether it is desirable for him, to consult various organisations. I should like to have a word with him about that before I answer any further questions.