HL Deb 07 November 1974 vol 354 cc583-6

3.18 p.m.

LORD CHELWOOD

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 problems are still outstanding in the renegotiation of the terms of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Economic Community; by what date it is expected that the renegotiations will be completed; how soon after this it is proposed to make a Statement in Parliament; and if at the same time it is intended to issue a factual White Paper.

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

My Lords, I would draw your Lordships' attention to the report on renegotiation which the noble and learned Lord who occupies the Woolsack gave the House on November 5 during his speech in the debate on the Address. It is the Government's aim to complete renegotiation by next spring. Statements will doubtless be made at intervals on the progress of renegotiation. No final decision has yet been taken regarding the issue of a White Paper on the results of renegotiation, but full information will of course be given to the House at the appropriate time.

LORD CHELWOOD

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware how very welcome was the Lord Chancellor's statement that it was hoped to complete the renegotiation by the spring, particularly since spring starts officially on or around March 21? Are the Government fully aware of the great importance of providing the public with the maximum information as soon as possible so that a nationwide debate can take place well before the poll?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I entirely agree with what the noble Lord has said and I hope that spring will be fairly early next year.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that a previous Labour Government stipulated five conditions which would justify our entering the Common Market? Have those five conditions been abandoned, and if not will the noble Lord be kind enough to re-state them now?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I hope to be kind at all times to my noble friend. I am not sure whether I can recall the five conditions which he mentions, but I can assure him that they have not been abandoned; indeed, considerable progress has been made on each one of them. One such condition was, of course, renegotiation of the nature of CAP.

Another condition was to create a better arrangement in regard to the Commonwealth and developing nations within the Commonwealth. A further condition was to safeguard the essential sovereignty of this country, and the fourth one was in regard to regional and industrial policy, although not to the Regional Development Fund. If I have left out a fifth condition, I hope my noble friend will allow me to communicate with him personally.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, if these are some of the five conditions stipulated at the time—although my noble friend said he could not recall them, and it is, therefore, somewhat difficult to understand why he was able to talk about something he could not recall—can my noble friend say whether any of those conditions have been the subject of renegotiation in recent times? Is it not the case that the only subjects which have been renegotiated are those of beef and sugar?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, both those points have been the subject of renegotiation, and considerable progress has been made. A good deal needs to be done, especially on beef. With this I would agree. I would add that the budgetary position and our contributory position in regard to the finance of the Common Market is the fifth condition.

LORD WADE

My Lords, may I further press the noble Lord, Lord Goronwy-Roberts, on the timetable? Is it intended by the Government that the Parliamentary procedure leading to a referendum, if there is one, should be completed by the Summer Recess or later? October has been referred to. That seems a rather unrealistic date in comparison with the Summer Recess.

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, we have said that within 12 months from the General Election of last month—we shall have completed renegotiation hopefully by the early spring—we shall have consulted the people, provided the fullest possible information both to Parliament and the people, and before next October, or by next October, have conducted the consultation which will decide whether or not we stay in.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, if I may be permitted a further question, could my noble friend say whether the matter of having a referendum of the British public is one that has been determined by Brussels? Is there not something in the Treaty of Accession which makes it necessary for one of the members of the Nine to consult Brussels before taking what might be regarded as a fundamental decision?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am not aware of anything in either Treaty to inhibit this country from deciding for itself how it consults its own people on this matter.

LORD LLOYD OF KILGERRAN

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he anticipates any development with regard to the Regional Fund? As he knows, there is a country with which he and I are not unacquainted which may be in a more profitable position if the Regional Fund were developed.

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Lloyd of Kilgerran, for implicitly recognising the distinction between regional industrial policy and the Regional Fund. The Fund does not form part of the renegotiation for obvious procedural and technical reasons. We are willing to take part in further talks in the Community. A good deal of study has been made of this matter. Therefore, I cannot say when information about any decision as to the former structure of this Fund will be available to either House.

LORD LLOYD OF KILGERRAN

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord.