HL Deb 20 December 1973 vol 348 cc463-4

11.14 a.m.

LORD HALE

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 what is the present estimated total sum pledged to the Regional Development Fund of the European Economic Communities, the estimated benefit to the United Kingdom and when and in what regions that benefit will accrue.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, there is no agreement as yet on the size of the Fund and I cannot therefore provide the information which the noble Lords seeks.

LORD HALE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware, apart from the complete inadequacy of that Answer, that since the Foreign Secretary only a few hours ago gave the most definite assurance that he has made in the last 35 years, the whole situation has altered? The German Cabinet met and reframed their budget last night. M. Pompidou, who instead is having bilateral negotiations with the King—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Question!

LORD HALE

My Lords, I am asking the noble Earl what is the effect of these matters which are so vital for the immediate interests of Britain that we are now on the verge of bankruptcy, and if the "teeny-boppers" on the other side of the House want to howl me down, I can tell them that they will have a job. In the last few hours, M. Pompidou has announced a new energy policy, and is it not now the fact that the question is not so much whether we can re-negotiate as to whether we are going to be asked to walk the plank?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I accept entirely the seriousness of the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Hale, and I wish that I were able to furnish him with a fuller Answer. But the fact is, as I know that he knows, the Council of Ministers have not agreed on the size of the Fund. It is therefore impossible for me to say what our estimated benefit is, and until those matters are concluded—and this is a question for the Council of Ministers to decide—it is impossible for me to furnish the noble Lord with the details which he quite rightly requests.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, has the noble Earl observed that there seems to be some disputation among the members of the Nine about the regional distribution of the available finance? Has he also observed that a very prominent member of the Commission—not one of the British members—stated that Britain has not gained any benefits since the Treaty of Accession was signed? If the noble Earl and his colleagues think that I am asking awkward questions, I take the opportunity of wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I have observed the disputations to which the noble Lord has referred. I think those are not uncommon or unusual or unexpected. I am very grateful to the noble Lord for the compliments which he has passed with regard to the season, which are fully reciprocated.

LORD HALE

My Lords, I am only too happy to be associated with the good wishes expressed by my noble friend. The noble Earl will perhaps forgive a slight temporary emotion if he recalls the speech in which it was said that this would do some good for the "Oldhams" of Britain, and Oldham withers while Brussels sprouts. But I do sincerely thank him for his statesmanlike Answer, which I am sure will raise the general spirits of both sides in this matter.