HL Deb 28 March 1974 vol 350 cc724-6
LORD GLADWYN

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 attitude the Foreign Secretary intends to adopt towards the proposals of the Commission and of the European Parliament, now under consideration by the Council of Ministers, for an increase in the budgetary powers of the Parliament.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government will examine this and other matters in the context of their renegotiation policy as a whole.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. But are the Government aware that very large and increasing sums even now are being paid into the central Community funds, over which there is no Parliamentary control whatever? Therefore, when this proposal for the grant of very limited budgetary powers to the European Parliament is discussed, as it will be in the near future—and it has been before the Community Council for some time—will the Foreign Secretary at least consider abstaining, so as to allow the proposal to go through?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, it is unquestionably the fact that large sums of money are involved; however, we are convinced that as renegotiation proceeds—and that will start fairly soon—this and every other important aspect of membership will be properly considered.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether that answer means he is in favour of what the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, says, or not?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, it means what I have just said; namely, as renegotiation proceeds, we shall be looking at this and other aspects of membership constructively and progressively.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, can the noble Lord say how long he expects renegotiation to take?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, we shall of course afford adequate time for these important discussions, but we hope they will not drag along indefinitely.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, may I ask how long the reconsideration will take?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, if the noble Baroness is referring to the reappraisal by the Government before they move into renegotiation, reappraisal has been proceeding for some time. We are hoping to begin what might be called Stage 2—namely, renegotiation—as soon as possible, and we shall do it subject by subject, but in a coordinated and parallel manner.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether the negotiations and the conclusion of renegotiation will have terminated before the next Election?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I can only say that I hope so.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, what I was trying to get from the noble Lord was whether or not he and the Government were in favour of an increase in the budgetary powers of Parliament. Presumably when you go into a negotiation you know what you are seeking to do.

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I understood very well what the noble Lord was trying to get out of me. My answer was that we shall be looking at this, as well as other matters relating to membership, progressively as renegotiation proceeds.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, would the noble Lord at least take into consideration my proposal, that the Foreign Secretary without any departure from his principles—whatever they are—might abstain on this particular issue so as to allow the powers to go through?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am sure that my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary will consider every possible course of action.

LoRD O'HAGAN

My Lords, do Her Majesty's Government accept the possibility that Labour members of the European Parliament might be able to assist the Government in their renegotiation by their use of the budgetary powers of that Parliament?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, that suggestion will, I am sure, commend itself, with others, to my right honourable friends.