HL Deb 09 March 1967 vol 280 cc1537-40

3.11 p.m.

LORD GRANTCHESTER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will confirm that, before announcing their readiness to adhere to the Treaty of Rome, they were assured of the support of the trade unions in the implementation of Article 48.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)

My Lords, no decision has yet been taken whether to open negotiations for membership of the European Economic Community, and no assurance of the kind indicated has been sought. As regards the Treaty of Rome, the Government's position is, as my right honourable friend the Prime Minister stated in another place on November 10, that the Government would be prepared to accept the Treaty of Rome subject to the necessary adjustments consequent upon the accession of a new member, and provided that we received satisfaction on the points about which we see difficulty.

LORD GRANTCHESTER

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I ask whether he would not agree that it is necessary for Her Majesty's Government to define their attitude to these fundamentally liberal provisions of the Treaty of Rome before seeking admission to the European Economic Community?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I think that the point made by the noble Lord must depend upon detailed negotiations when they start. Of course, we are all aware of the implications of Article 48, but we have not reached the point when detailed discussion would be of use.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that under the conditions of the Treaty of Paris the trade unions will oppose the mobility of labour, and the putting of French and Italians into British industry here?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, as my noble friend is almost certainly aware, these questions have been discussed between members of the Government and British industry as a whole, and no objection to this aspect of our entry has in fact been raised. We are not deeply concerned by problems arising from Article 48.

LORD CITRINE

My Lords, is the noble Lord not aware that Article 48 deals exclusively with the subject of mobility of labour, and is he not aware that certain limitations are implied—are indeed imposed—on the mobility of labour? First, is the noble Lord aware that it does not apply to the public services? Secondly, is he aware that it applies only to cases where an offer of employment is actually made? Thirdly, would it not he foolish on the part of the trade unions, and on the part of the Government, to give unqualified assent to a clause in such ambiguous terms as to where an offer of employment is actually made, when that might mean that, at a time of strike or lock-out, it would be perfectly lawful for an employer in this country to import labour from abroad?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I think we cannot build up our approach to Europe on the basis of a series of hypothetical crises. In fact, this, as a problem, has not concerned our colleagues in Europe, and I do not see why it should concern us particularly at this moment, when we are at a very early stage of negotiations.

LORD SALTOUN

My Lords, may I ask the Government a question which the noble Lord's answer has prompted? This is a Treaty which has been signed by a large number of people, and into which a large number of countries have entered fully. In approaching the matter, how can we say that we want to modify this Treaty in our own regard? Surely it is a thing we have either to swallow or to reject. It is not like the curate's egg, parts of which may be appreciated.

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

I think we are all in agreement with the noble Lord, but what we are asking is that we, as a new member, should be allowed a period of adjustment. On every point this is our attitude.

LORD SALTOUN

I am much obliged to the noble Lord.

3.15 p.m.

LORD GRANTCHESTER

My 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, in view of their announced readiness to accept the Treaty of Rome, how soon we may expect steps to bring their policy into conformity with Article 67.]

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, as I indicated in answer to the noble Lord's previous Question, no decision has yet been taken whether to open negotiations for membership of the European Economic Community. As regards the Treaty of Rome, I cannot add to what I said in reply to the noble Lord's previous Question.

LORD GRANTCHESTER

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I ask him this further question? Is it not a fact that there would be no support for this country's admission to the European Economic Community from the citizens of members of the European Economic Community if they thought it would add to the risk of their being subjected to the sort of restrictions which are current in this country?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, as I think those of us who read the newspapers are well aware, this question of the movement of capital arising from portfolio investments is a problem, but it is a problem of the transitional period and will be dealt with as such.