§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy 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 give an assurance that they will continue to reject all proposals that Britain should forthwith offer to sign the Treaty of Rome, leaving conditions for home agriculture and Commonwealth trade for post-signature negotiation.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD WALSTON)My Lords, the Treaty of Rome is not open for signature by additional candidates for membership of the European Economic Community. In accordance with Article 237 of the Treaty, a fresh agreement would need to be negotiated with the existing members. Should Her Majesty's Government decide to apply for membership, they would hope that the negotiations could concentrate on main issues.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask the noble Lord this further question? Does his reply really mean that there is no possibility that Britain might sign the Treaty of Rome before the conditions for Commonwealth trade and agriculture are satisfied and known?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, as the noble Lord is aware, my right honourable friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have been making a series of visits to the European capitals. In the light of what they have heard and said there Her Majesty's Government are now 172 discussing what the next move should be.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, may I take it that the Minister's reply really "shoots down" the suggestions and the pressures, which come from many quarters, that Britain should at once advance to sign the Treaty of Rome? Does the Minister's reply rebut that entirely?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, clearly I cannot anticipate the decisions that will be taken by Her Majesty's Government in the light of the information which is being collected.
§ 2.38 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 give an assurance that, before any decision is taken on the question of application for entry into the E.E.C., Parliament shall have an opportunity to debate the issue in full knowledge of conditions proposed for home agriculture and for safeguarding Commonwealth trade.]
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, should Her Majesty's Government decide to apply to negotiate for membership of the European Economic Community, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has given an assurance that there will be an opportunity for debate before any such application is made. But it would not be in the public interest to say in detail what our terms and conditions would be on particular questions.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, may I put this question to the Minister? Although details may not be known, can the Minister give an assurance that when such a debate takes place Parliament will have knowledge of the broad conditions on which Her Majesty's Government propose to insist in regard to Commonwealth trade and home agriculture?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, certainly the broad outlines will be available for discussion. Whether the noble Lord's interpretation of "broad" would be the same as that of some other people, I do not know.