HC Deb 27 October 1970 vol 805 cc67-8W
Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the verbatim proposals tabled by the British Common Market negotiating team on 14th October, 1970.

Mr. Rippon

No. Verbatim records of the Conference between the United Kingdom and the Community are confidential documents.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that, in the event of Great Britain joining the Common Market, the transitional period will not be less than six years for agriculture.

Mr. Rippon

The lengths of transitional periods to permit mutual adaptation to the circumstances of an enlarged Community are matters for negotiation.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that, in the event of Great Britain joining the Common Market, there will be an annual review of the farm policy of the enlarged community before farm prices are agreed upon.

Mr. Royle

This question is under discussion in the Ministerial meeting with the European Economic Community which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is attending in Luxembourg. My right hon. Friend will be making regular statements about the progress of the negotiations.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that, in the event of Great Britain joining the Common Market, no Common Market rules will be applied in Great Britain in the first year after entry.

Mr. Rippon

This is a matter for negotiation.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the fact-finding reports on subjects related to Great Britain's application to join the Common Market which were put in hand on 21st July, 1970; and if they will be published.

Mr. Rippon

We have submitted papers on some of the subjects to be covered in the negotiations; the Commission has completed some of its own studies. The papers are, however, confidential negotiating documents which it would not be appropriate to publish.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Ministers of the Six upon Common Market policy for fish which is to come into effect in February; what objections he voiced; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Godber

No negotiations have taken place between the Community and ourselves on the common fisheries policy. But my right hon. Friend the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, made our interest clear at the opening of the negotiations for membership of the European Communities in Luxembourg on 30th June. Subsequently our views on this matter have been made known to the Community.