§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what agreement has now been reached with the other EEC countries to further political co-operation in foreign affairs and defence policies; and whether all procedural distinctions between these and subjects explicitly covered by the Treaties have at last been abolished at all levels.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, the European Council on 30th November endorsed the view that when the Foreign Ministers meet, whether in the Council of Communities or in the political co-operation framework, they should be able to take into consideration all aspects of questions under discussion. As the current holders of the Presidency, the United Kingdom has the job of making this possible in practice. The appropriate procedures for work falling within the framework of the Communities and for inter-Governmental co-operation will continue to be followed. As to the first part of the noble Lord's Question, Her Majesty's Government continue to attach importance to political co-operation among the Nine, of which the aim is the search for a common external policy.
Lord CHELWOODMy Lords, does that reply, which is encouraging so far as it goes, mean that the artificial separation between foreign policy and matters covered by Treaty really has been brought to an end, as was recommended in one of his 324 most practical and realistic suggestions by M. Tindemanns in his report?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I think the noble Lord has summed it up very fairly. In substance and in practice there is a unity of consideration of both categories of foreign questions. Procedures continue to be as they have been, until of course further thought, discussion and decision as to procedure in both categories take place.
§ Lord GLADWYNMy Lords, would not the Government agree that they are unlikely to get much "forrader" in the practical harmonisation of foreign policy, and indeed of defence policy, until they can establish some kind of secretariat—one might call it a political secretariat—in a centre in which the political directors can habitually meet and in which the agendas for their meetings can at least be prepared?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, the question of what is called "a centre" with no doubt some at least of the implications mentioned by the noble Lord, is, as he knows, a matter for consideration. There is much force in what he has said.