§ 37. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent Britain's application to join the Common Market indicates Her Majesty's Government's acceptance of the free movement of labour within Europe, and the free entry into the United Kingdom of nationals of European countries.
§ 77 and 78. Mr. Fellasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what study he has made, in the context of negotiations regarding the United Kingdom's entry into the Common Market, of the effect of Articles 48, 49, 50 and 51 of the Treaty of Rome on the future policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding immigration into the United Kingdom from British Commonwealth countries and Colonies;
(2) if he will give a summary of the discussions he has had with the six Common Market countries about Articles 48, 49, 50 and 51 of the Treaty of Rome; and to what extent Her Majesty's Government's proposed Immigrants Bill has been discussed with the Six.
§ Mr. HeathWe have accepted Article 3 (c) and articles 48–51 of the Treaty of Rome concerning the free movement of persons. The administration of these Articles is one of the matters which we wish to discuss with the European Economic Community at a later stage in the negotiations. We have had no discussions whatever with the European Economic Community Governments about the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill.
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§ 52. Mr. Turtonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will give an assurance that there will be a period of at least three months between the conclusion of the negotiations with the European Economic Community and the entrance of the United Kingdom into any agreement resulting therefrom.
§ Mr. HeathTime would be needed between the conclusion of an agreement and its entry into force to enable the process of ratification to take place and any necessary legislation arising out of the agreement to be passed. I will not attempt at this stage to estimate how long this period would be.
§ 55. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Lord Privy Seal how many economic advisers he has in his delegation conducting the Common Market negotiations; and how many of these are specialists in Commonwealth trade.
§ Mr. HeathThe Delegation includes six senior advisers from the Treasury, the Foreign Office, the Commonwealth Relations Office, the Colonial Office, the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. All six have an extensive knowledge of the problems of Commonwealth trade. Specialists on individual items will be included in the Delegation as and when necessary.
§ 57. Mr. Marshasked the Lord Privy Seal whether Britain's application to join the European Economic Community includes application to join the Euratom Commission; and what effect this will have on the United Kingdom's development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
§ Mr. HeathWe have informed the member Governments of the European Economic Community that we are prepared at the appropriate time to enter into negotiations with a view to membership (if they so wish) of Euratom. In advance of negotiations I cannot indicate the effects of membership of Euratom on the United Kingdom's development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
§ 59. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Lord Privy Seal what safeguards he is seeking for European Free Trade Area countries, particularly Austria and Sweden, in his negotiations following Great Britain's 51W application to join the Common Market; and if he will give an assurance that the United Kingdom application will be withdrawn if such safeguards are not obtained.
§ Mr. HeathOur position is explained in my statement to European Economic Community Ministers on 10th October which is being published today as a White Paper.
§ 64. Mr. Bowlesasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will circulate to Governments of the European Economic Community the full text of the Commonwealth Finance Minister's Conference in Accra in September, in order that these Governments will be fully aware of Commonwealth objections to Great Britain's entry.
§ Mr. HeathThe record of the proceedings of the Accra conference is confidential. The communiqué issued after the meeting was widely published.