§ 2.58 p.m.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider making clear, by White Paper or otherwise, what changes in our legal system would have to follow full adherence by Britain to the Rome Treaty in its present form.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have the legal implications of adherence to the Treaty of Rome under close examination at the present time. When that examination is concluded they will consider whether it would be appropriate to adopt the suggestion made by my noble friend.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, is the Minister aware that in authoritative quarters in the Press there has been much comment and some contention as to the effects on our legal system of the signing of the Rome Treaty? And will the Government bear in mind the grave misgivings that are felt in many quarters when they come to a decision as to whether or not to publish a White Paper or make such effects known by some other means?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I have no authority at present to say that the Government will issue a White Paper, but I do understand the anxiety felt and referred to by my noble friend, and I will certainly report what he has said to my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, as I mentioned yesterday, I was able at last to obtain information about last January's agreement on agriculture between the countries of the Six, but it contains no real information which I could understand; and yet, since then, I have been able to obtain, through a certain channel, a copy of much more information issued by the headquarters of the organisation in this country which is pressing for the Common Market. In view of this, ought not the Government to be issuing to Parliament at least the same amount of information as is now being issued from that direction?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, the Question on the Paper is not about agriculture but about the consequences on our legal system which might result in the event of our appearing in the Common Market. I will certainly gladly give the noble Viscount all the information I can about agriculture, but that is a different question.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, with very great respect, I think that the Question on the Paper asks whether the Government
are in a position to make any further statement on the Common Market negotiations".
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEI did not ask that Question.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I beg your Lordships' pardon. However, I am very glad I made my point.
§ House adjourned during pleasure and resumed by the Lord Chancellor.