§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many communications he has received up to 1st April, 1971, opposing Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will give a breakdown of these communications to show how many were from private individuals, trade unions, farmers, housewives, and business firms.
§ Mr. RipponSince 1st January this year I have received rather more than 200 communications from members of the public expressing opposition to Britain's entry into the European Economic Community. Most of them were from private individuals. Figures for earlier periods are not readily available.
§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which Commonwealth countries have conducted or are conducting negotiations regarding trading arrangements with the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponMalta has just concluded a preferential trade agreement with the European Economic Community. India and Pakistan both have had since 1963 non-preferential trading agreements with the Community in the field of textiles and jute. Discussions are taking place between the Cyprus Government and the European Economic Community with a view to establishing a trade agreement.
§ Mr. Waltersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards he is seeking for the special position of Gibraltar when Great Britain enters the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponAs I reported to the House in my statements of 29th October 231W and 10th December, 1970, the European Economic Community have agreed in the negotiations that the provisions of Article 227(4) of the Treaty of Rome should apply to Gibraltar. It has also been accepted that, as Gibraltar is not part of the United Kingdom's customs territory, there would be no reason to include Gibraltar in the customs territory of the enlarged Community.—Vol. 805, c. 439–41 Vol. 808, c. 689–91.]
§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, from information available from international sources, what travel documents are required by citizens of European Economic Community countries when travelling within the Community.
§ Mr. RipponNationals of European Economic Community countries are able to travel within the Community on a valid identity card or passport.
§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Commonwealth countries have expressed opposition to Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponNone.
§ Mr. Miscampbellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which Commonwealth countries have already made Association Agreements with the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponIn July, 1966, the Nigerian Government signed an Association Agreement with the Community which was not ratified and has now lapsed. In September, 1969, an agreement was signed between the European Economic Community and Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. This Association Agreement was ratified by all the parties in December and came into force in January this year.
§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects next to attend a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the European Economic Community after 18th May, 1971.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI assume my hon. Friend is referring to the meeting232W of Foreign Ministers of the Six and of the four applicant countries scheduled to take place on 18th May in Paris. No dates for further such meetings have yet been arranged.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect would the United Kingdom's membership of the European Economic Community have on the United Kingdom's role within the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. RipponWhilst there would be certain adjustments in the existing trading arrangements between Britain and the Commonwealth, traditional and historical links in other fields would remain unchanged.