§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 decisions have been made by the E.E.C. Commission regarding relations with the independent nations of Africa South of the Sahara and of the Caribbean.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, no decisions have been made by the E.E.C. Commission. The Council of Ministers decided on June 4 to invite the Governments of the developing countries which are members of the present Yaoundé or Arusha Conventions, or which are covered by Protocol 22 of the Treaty of Accession, to be represented at a conference in Brussels on July 25 and 26 to open negotiations on their future relations with the Community.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that Answer. At the Brussels Conference on July 25 would Her Majesty's Government seek to extend to the black African countries and the Caribbean countries the proposal made for the Mediterranean territories of free trade in industrialised goods, liberalised agriculture exchanges, guaranteed prices for basic commodities? Would she consider inviting representatives of the O.A.U., which represents the 34 independent African countries, to that discussion?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, this particular discussion is concerned with the present 182 associables and those who are eligible to associate. This would be only the opening of a long period of negotiation, and would be the first meeting. It would then be adjourned, probably until towards the end of September, which will give the developing countries longer time to consider the position. There are a great many points of that nature which it is far too early to consider.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I appreciate that reply and the realisation that this is a long-term matter. Would Her Majesty's Government consider that the present proposals should be extended to Asia and Latin America, because 85 per cent. of the population of the Third World would now be left out? Would it not be desirable that when the European Conference for Security and Co-operation was established there should be a Commission which would seek to make arrangements with all in the Third World to deal with these problems?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, the noble Lord will remember that there was a Declaration of Intent concerning India and Asia in the Treaty of Accession which is treated rather separately. There are no definite proposals yet. There is an E.E.C. Memorandum from the Commission, but this is to be considered by the Council of Ministers. There is no negotiating mandate.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I welcome the view expressed by the noble Baroness that the emerging countries and the countries which will be negotiating together should have ample time for negotiation. Would she recognise that the British Parliament, and the British Government in particular, have a special obligation particularly to the sugar-producing countries? When the proposals have been formulated would the noble Baroness consider, if she cannot now so undertake, whether they may be made available to the British Parliament through a White Paper, instead of by the rather more awkward method of getting information out of the Commission?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I will certainly convey the noble Lord's suggestion to my right honourable friend; but this particular memorandum does not, 183 of course, as yet, represent the Community position, or even formal proposals.