HL Deb 09 December 1974 vol 355 cc404-5

2.42 p.m.

The Earl of DUDLEY

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 continue to support the undertaking of the Heads of State or of Government of the countries of the enlarged Community given at the meeting in Paris on the 19th and 20th October 1972, to co-ordinate their regional policies.

The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of INDUSTRY (LORD BESWICK)

My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary told the Council of Ministers on 4th June the Government accept that there could usefully be co-ordination of the rules under which each of us gives aid. One of our renegotiation objectives is, of course, the retention by Parliament of those powers over the British economy needed to pursue effective regional policies.

The Earl of DUDLEY

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. I agree with him as to the need for powers to be retained for effective and appropriate national and regional aid policies. May I ask the Minister whether he would assure the House that those powers are in no way incompatible with our obligations under the Treaty, nor with the need to develop co-ordinated and coherent policies to concentrate investment in the regions suffering from the greatest disadvantage?

Lord BESWICK

My Lords, there are certain aspects which are of course incompatible with the objectives which we have set ourselves under the renegotiation proposals, but these are matters which are now being discussed.

The Earl of DUDLEY

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the regulation which has not as yet been discussed by the council governing co-ordination of regional aid policies applies to post-notification of these policies only and can in no way be considered incompatible with the retention of powers over national regional aid policies?

Lord BESWICK

My Lords, I thought that I had made it clear to the noble Earl that we are now trying to bring about a co-ordination of the rules as at present set out.