HC Deb 14 June 1971 vol 819 cc15-9W
64. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent proposals he has made, and what has been the Community's response, for the safeguarding of Australian sugar exports to the United Kingdom after 1974 if Great Britain should join the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

I have nothing to add at present to my statement to the House and my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Miss Joan Hall) on the 17th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 885–6, 859–61.]

66. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement upon the talks with Norway regarding the fisheries policy in the Common Market.

Mr. Rippon

I would refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 8th June.—[Vol. 818, c. 317.]

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations took place with representatives of United Kingdom fishing organisation about the proposals put recently to the European Economic Community for amendments to the common fisheries policy; and what representations were made to him about his proposals during such consultations.

Mr. Rippon

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland have been in continuous consultation with a large number of United Kingdom fishing interests throughout the negotiations. The recent proposals took account of the views they expressed.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek during the negotiations for Great Britain's terms of entry into the European Economic Community to have a written agreement on conditions to safeguard the 14 Commonwealth sugar-producing countries, such agreement to be endorsed by the Governments of the 14 countries, prior to Great Britain accepting any terms of entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

No. I explained in my statement on 9th June that the Community has been informed of the communiqué agreed at the consultations with the Commonwealth Governments concerned on 2nd and 3rd June.—[Vol. 818, c. 1043.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will ensure during the present negotiations for the terms of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community that the safeguards for keeping down unemployment in Northern Ireland under the Safeguards of Employment Act, 1947, will be maintained for at least 10 years after Great Britain's entry.

Mr. Rippon

In the negotiations Her Majesty's Government have proposed that the Northern Ireland Safeguarding of Employment Act, 1947, should be maintained in force until 1978 and that towards the end of this period consideration should be given, in the light of circumstances at the time and of developments in the Community's policy, to what further special measures may be needed to meet Northern Ireland's special problems.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether during the forthcoming discussions for terms of entry into the European Economic Community he will, in the light of his recent talks with Commonwealth sugar-producing countries, insist that the 14 sugar-producing countries of the Commonwealth must be allowed to continue exporting sugar to Great Britain in the quantities specified in the existing agreement for at least 10 years after the agreement ends in 1974.

Mr. Rippon

The question of exports of sugar from the developing Commonwealth to the enlarged Community after 1974 will be settled within the framework of negotiations outlined in my statement of 17th May.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the discussions held on the question of the six-mile fishing limit; whether the statement by Sir Con O'Neill that Great Britain wants a permanent safeguard of the six-mile fishing limit, as against a transitional arrangement, was made with his authority; and whether he will ensure that in any agreement for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community this is provided for in a written form of agreement, as against an oral agreement of intent.

Mr. Rippon

In answer to the first part of the Question, I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to my hon. Friend the Member for Holland with Boston (Mr. Body) and the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars) on 8th June and to my statement on 9th June. As to the second and third parts, I can assure the hon. Member that the statement on fisheries was made with full authority and that any agreement reached with the Communities on fisheries will be formulated so as to be fully binding.—[Vol. 818, c. 842–3, 1045.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent conference with representatives of the Commonwealth sugar-producing countries.

Mr. Rippon

I would refer to my statement on 9th June and to the communiqué agreed at the conference published in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 9th June.—[Vol. 818, c. 1043–5, 1061–2.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in support of the Government's declared policy of the widest public debate to enable the British public to examine all relevant matters concerning Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community, he will arrange to distribute free the statement made by Her Majesty's Government to the representatives of the 14 Commonwealth countries interested in sugar production, made during their recent discussions with him in London.

Mr. Rippon

No. The proceedings of the conference with the representatives of the countries concerned were confidential. Copies of the communiqué issued at the end of these consultations were placed in the Library of the House and released to the Press; the communiqué was also published in the OFFICIAL REPORT with my statement of 9th June. Further copies can be made available to those who ask for them.—[Vol. 818, c. 1061–2.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his official discussions with Mr. Douglas Anthony, the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, on that country's views for trade safeguards on any terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

Mr. Anthony arrives in Britain on 16th June and I look forward to holding discussions with him on 18th June.

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