HC Deb 05 July 1971 vol 820 cc254-65W
94. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish a map giving an authoritative delineation of British protected fishing grounds consequential on his recent proposals to the European Economic Community and how that delineation varies from the 1964 Agreement.

Mr. Rippon

Her Majesty's Government's proposals on fisheries were explained in my statement of 9th June. Maps placed in the Libraries of the House show the delineation of the fishing limits on which these proposals are based. The need for further explanatory maps will depend upon progress in the futher negotiations on fisheries.—[Vol. 818, c. 1045.]

97. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek powers to require all organisations incurring expenditure in seeking to influence public opinion on the question of entry into the European Economic Community to declare their sources of income.

Mr. Rippon

No.

98. Sir D. Walker-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs if he will include in the White Paper on proposed entry to the European Economic Community a statement indicating the position of British horticulture and identifying the form and extent of compensation or other help which Her Majesty's Government would be premitted to provide and would propose to provide.

Mr. Rippon

The forthcoming White Paper will set out the arrangements made in the negotiations for British horticulture. Any further domestic arrangements would be matters for my right honourable Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

99. Sir D. Walker-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs if he will include in the White Paper on proposed entry to the European Economic Community a statetext of value-added tax, making clear the ment of the position of food in the con extent of any obligation upon Her Majesty's Government arising out of the principle of harmonisation.

Mr. Rippon

No. I have nothing to add to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Treasury gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 25th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 371.]

101. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the estimated increase in the price of steel to Harland and Wolff under European Economic Community regulations regarding payment of transport costs.

Mr. Ridley

I have been asked to reply. The E.C.S.C. Treaty does not have the effect of fixing steel prices, which remain a commercial matter for undertakings. Such an estimate, therefore, would be inappropriate.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current total number of rules and regulations, Commission and Council of Ministers' edicts and enactments which Great Britain will have to adopt on entry into the European Economic Community; and if he will provide a general survey on what subjects and matters of national policy these concern, and in what way.

Mr. Rippon

Upon accession to the European Communities, the United Kingdom would have to adopt all regulations, decisions and directives in force at the date of accession subject to derogations agreed in the negotiations. In their present non-consolidated form their total number is around 3,000. As a part of our negotiations for entry, this Community legislation is being examined in Brussels and modified where necessary to apply to an enlarged Community. Until this operation is complete it will not be possible to list the United Kingdom legislation which would be affected. All European Community legislation is enacted under the authority of the Treaties of Rome and Paris and the subject matter is limited to the areas with which the Treaties are concerned. The White Paper (Cmnd. 3301) published in May, 1967, provides a general survey, which is still valid, of the effect of Community legislation and the aspects of national policy covered by the treaties.

Mr. Kelley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now state the terms of agreement entered into with the European Coal and Steel Community, so far as the future of the United Kingdom coal and steel industries are concerned.

Mr. Rippon

Pending the forthcoming White Paper on the negotiations with the Community, I have nothing to add to my statement of 24th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 1605].

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will, before accepting the Rome Treaty and entry into the Europen Economic Community, insist that Sweden and Switzerland be invited to join the Community.

Mr. Rippon

No. If Sweden and Switzerland wished to become full members of the Community they would apply to do so.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis on Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community the 24 British representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee will be democratically elected or appointed; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

The basis on which the 24 British representatives on the Economic and Social Committee of the Community will be selected has yet to be decided. Article 193 of the Treaty of Rome defines the fields of economic and social activity from which representatives shall be drawn. In practice the Committee's membership is composed of one third representatives of employees, one third representatives of employers and one third representatives of the general interest.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) to what extent British Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty's Government to the Common Market Commission on Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community will, if Members of Parliament, in addition to their Parliamentary salaries, be able to draw the £15,000 per annum salaries as paid by the European Economic Community to these Commissioners; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) how many British members of the Common Market Commission will be appointed on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether these will be career diplomats, ex-Ministers and/or Members of Parliament, or existing Members of either House of Parliament; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

The nomination of Commissioners to the Commission of the European Economic Community is not a matter which need be decided until it is clear that Britain will join the Communities.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent British Directors General appointed by Her Majesty's Government to the Common Market Commission on Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community will, if Members of Parliament, be able to draw, in addition to their parliamentary salaries, the £10,000 per annum to £12,000 per annum salaries, as paid by the European Economic Community to these Directors General; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

The appointment of British staff to the Commission of the European Economic Community is not a matter which need be decided until it is clear that Britain will join the Communities. The posts referred to are full-time positions which require the virtually permanent presence of the holder.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will ensure that, in the White Papers on the terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will state on what basis the procedure of electing British members to the European Parliament will take place; whether this will be on a universal suffrage basis, or by Members of Parliament being elected by the House of Commons; and to what extent Members of the House of Lords will be entitled to stand for selection.

Mr. Rippon

No. The composition of the delegation to the European Parliament from Westminster is not a matter which need be decided until it is clear that Britain will join the Communities.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether in his proposed White Paper on the terms and conditions for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community he will give a fully documented explanation as to how Great Britain's existing sovereignty will be affected.

Mr. Rippon

The forthcoming White Paper will set out in detail the arrangements agreed in the negotiations with the European Economic Community and Her Majesty's Government's conclusions on whether they constitute a satisfactory basis for joining the Communities, including a discussion of the question of sovereignty.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in his forthcoming White Paper on the terms and conditions for Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community, he will set out the way in which Commonwealth interests in general and those of the sugar-producing countries and New Zealand and Australia, in particular, will be safeguarded by the proposed delay in the implementation of the full effects of Great Britain's entry.

Mr. Rippon

Yes.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his policy towards associate membership for democratic States of an enlarged European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

Article 238 of the Treaty of Rome enables the Community to conclude association agreements with third countries. Any application for an association would be treated by the Community, whether enlarged or not, on its merits.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his policy towards representative methods of government in the enlarged European Economic Community which will replace the current system of administration.

Mr. Rippon

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his statement on 24th May about the development of satisfactory parliamentary institutions in Europe.—[Vol. 818, c. 44.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official approach he has received from Australia's High Commissioner in London, on Australia's attitude to Great Britain's possible entry into the Common Market and his view of Great Britain's negotiations; and whether he will publish details of the views of the Australian Government in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Rippon

The Australian Government has always understood and supported the reasons for Britain's application to join the European Economic Community. Over the period of the negotiations, there have been exchanges and consultations on a number of aspects which affected Australia's interests. I visited Australia to discuss the implications of British membership last autumn. More recently. Mr. Anthony, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Commerce, has visited the United Kingdom. He had useful meetings with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and myself at which Australia's interest in Britain's entry into the European Economic Community were fully discussed.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much, up until 24th June, has been spent on printing and circulating fact sheets on Great Britain and Europe; how much of this money has been spent on newspaper advertisements advertising these sheets; what was the amount paid to each stated newspaper; and whether he will ensure that these fact sheets in future contain the information which is factual on the adverse effects of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

The amount spent on printing and circulating Factsheets, up until 24th June, was £49,600. No newspaper advertising for the Factsheets was undertaken up until that date. The Fact-sheets already contain relevant factual material on the adverse effects.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reach a conclusion with the European Economic Community concerning matters affecting the flow of capital to the countries of the European Economic Community; and whether full details of these negotiations will be reported in his forthcoming White Paper.

Mr. Rippon

As these matters are still under negotiation, it is impossible to give a firm answer to the first part of the Question; as for the second I must ask the hon. Member to await publication of the forthcoming White Paper.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, as the Government have now agreed to the principle of entry into the European Economic Community, he will arrange for Members of Parliament who wish to do so to visit the Brussels Headquarters of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

I am certain that there will be opportunities for hon. Members to visit the institutions of the Community, but arrangements for those will not necessarily fall within the province of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he is attempting to obtain the benefits of entry into the Common Market for the Channel Islands; and what discussions have ensued on this subject in general and Jersey in particular during recent discussions with the authorities in the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

After close consultation between Her Majesty's Government and Island authorities, the United Kingdom delegation in Brussels has invited the Community to examine the question of the future relationship of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man with the European Economic Community with a view to a form of relationship that would best suit the needs and wishes of the Island's inhabitants. The Community's response is awaited.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has now been able to obtain the full text of the speech made by President Pompidou in St. Flour on Saturday, 26th June, 1971; and when he expects to place this with an English translation in the Library.

Mr. Rippon

A French language text of the parts of President Pompidou's speech relating to the European Economic Community negotiations is being placed in the Library today and an English translation will be made available as soon as possible.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek further discussion with representatives of the Government of New Zealand on the latest circumstances affecting Great Britain's approach to entry into the European Economic Community so far as it affects the New Zealand dairy industry.

Mr. Rippon

There has been close and continuous consultation with representatives of the New Zealand Government throughout the negotiations, and, if Britain joins the Communities, this will be maintained during the implementation of the arrangements outlined in my statement of 24th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 1606–8.]

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is yet in a position to state how the shortened version of the White Paper on the European Economic Community negotiations is to be distributed.

Mr. Anthony Royle

The shortened version of the White Paper is to be distributed in the same way as the Government's Factsheets on "Britain and Europe", including being made available to the public, free of charge, at post offices.

Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those members of the European Economic Community which adopt cash incentives, either in buildings or in plant or equipment, as a means of inducing industry to develop in their depressed regions.

Mr. Rippon

All Governments of the European Economic Community offer in various ways incentives in the form of direct grants or reduced interest rates or tax incentives to promote industrial development in their depressed regions.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the European Economic Community regulations it would not be possible for-the United Kingdom to accede to in its normal legislative processes.

Mr. Rippon

All European Economic Community regulations are being examined and, where necessary, adapted for an enlarged Community as part of our negotiations for accession. This procedure will continue until the end of the year. It is not yet possible to state in detail what United Kingdom legislation will be needed if we join the Community, but there is no reason to suppose that any action necessary to make changes in our law will not be possible by normal legislative processes.

Sir R. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will show how the change over from the United Kingdom tariff with Commonwealth preference to the Common External Tariff of the Six with Community preference will take place, by giving as an example, the duty on fresh peaches from the Commonwealth, the Six, and other foreign countries, respectively, year by year from the date of entry, if Great Britain joins.

Mr. Rippon

The difference between United Kingdom tariffs on Commonwealth imports and Community tariffs on third country imports would be phased out gradually over the transitional period. Different arrangements would apply to industrial, agricultural and horticultural tariffs. In many instances, including peaches, the detailed application of individual tariffs has still to be settled.

Miss Quennell

asked the Secretary of Sate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his consultations with Australia during the European Economic Community negotiations; what guarantees he has received from the Community related to Australian produce; and to what proportion of British-Australian trade they will apply.

Mr. Rippon

I visited Australia last autumn to discuss the effects of British entry on Australia. Commonwealth representatives have been brief on the progress of the negotiations after each round of talks, both in Brussels and in London. Recently,. Mr. Anthony, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Commerce, visited the United Kingdom and had useful discussions with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and myself.

In the negotiations the Community has agreed to tariff quota arrangements for alumina, lead bullion and zinc, which are of importance to Australia. We have secured a five-year transitional period for our application to the Community's Common External Tariff. On commodities which would become subject to levies under the Common agricultural policy, we have secured agreement from the Community that appropriate measures would be available to the enlarged Community which would enable it to take rapid and effective action if significant volumes of trade with third countries were at risk of serious disruption during the transitional period. This undertaking would apply to all Australia's exports to the United Kingdom which would be subject to agricultural levies.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for joint economic aid to developing countries by an enlarged European Economic Community.

Mr. Wood

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Kenneth Clarke) on 21st June, I expect such proposals to emerge as part of the negotiations which will start in 1973 between the Community and those developing countries eligible for association under arrangements to succeed the present Yaoundé Convention. If Britain is then a member of the Community, we shall expect to play a full part in these discussions.—[Vol. 819, c. 976–77.]