HL Deb 19 May 1970 vol 310 cc959-61

2.40 p.m.

THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

My 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 whether they are not failing in their duty and acting contrary to the traditions of the Commonwealth, by pursuing a policy of joining the Common market.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD)

No, my Lords.

THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his very curt reply. May I ask two supplementary questions? Is the Minister aware that neither the Government nor the Opposition, who are always talking about the right terms of entry into Europe, ever tell us what are the right terms; and never define the weight of the burden which this country refuses to bear and which will prove intolerable? Further, my Lords, I should like to ask the Minister this question. Is he aware, and would he not agree, that if we join the European Association we must tax Commonwealth foodstuffs which at presententer duty-free till they are—till they cost; till they are as costly as Continental produce—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Reading!

THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

—which would ultimately displace—

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, may I interrupt my noble friend to say that it is not customary to read a supplementary question; and that when the actual draft is illegible, it draws attention to the fact that the question is being used for the purpose of setting forth argument?

THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

I apologise, my Lords.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, with regard to the first supplementary question, of course if you go into negotiations it is extraordinary foolish to disclose your hand. With regard to the second question, we have on numerous occasions (and I would draw my noble friend's attention particularly to the undertaking that the Foreign Secretary gave at the Western European meeting on July 4, 1967) said that we would make certain that there would be safeguards for Commonwealth commodities in our negotiations.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that in the course of the debate on the White Paper my noble friend Lord Chalfont referred to the anti-Common Marketeers as the "Blyton popsingers"? Is he further aware that our group is now swelling, and could he advise the Prime Minister in this Election to become anti-Common Market, when we shall get a 20 per cent. lead?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I think that is highly speculative.

LORD MOYLE

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend what are the advantages accruing to us from joining the Common Market?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, this is Question Time, and I can see that the House is in one of its better moods. I think that if I sought to reassure my noble friend, or to give him the information he asks for, it would take a great deal of time, and I feel that the humour would quickly evaporate.