HL Deb 12 November 1992 vol 540 cc442-4

11.10 p.m.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 19th October be approved [8th Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the draft Orders in Council under consideration specify the EC association agreements with Hungary and Poland as European Treaties under Section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972. These require ratification by all EC member states. The European Parliament gave its assent in September; another place discussed these matters on 3rd November.

The association agreements are the basic link between the EC and Poland and Hungary. Our intention is to interpret them positively and give them real substance so they can fulfil their prime function of reinforcing political stability and economic growth.

The Government hope that Poland and Hungary will join the Community as soon as they are able to assume the obligations of membership. We shall give them every possible assistance towards that goal. The association agreements are the best means of doing that. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 19th October be approved [8th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Baroness Chalker of Wallasey.)

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, the noble Baroness has said in less than a minute what her right honourable friend Mr Tristan Garel-Jones took 11 minutes to say. It is very agreeable and acceptable. As she knows from earlier conversations, these are very small steps in the totality of the enormous problems which face not only those countries but also in the attempt to bring them into closer comity with other members of the Community and whom we have supported for a long time.

As the noble Baroness knows, on another occasion both she and I would have wanted to say a great deal more. But she has said sufficient for me to say that we welcome what has been said and endorse the actions that have been taken.

On Question, Motion agreed to.