§ 90. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he has discussed the effect on United Kingdom regional development policies of United Kingdom entry to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponRegional policy has not developed far on a Community basis, and was not therefore an issue in the negotiations. A wide range of regional policies are implemented by the Six and Her Majesty's Government have no reason to expect that their regional aid policies will encounter any fundamental difficulties arising from membership of the European Economic Community.
93. Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the negotiations with the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponI have nothing to add to the statement I made to the House on 24th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 1604–10.]
§ 98. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will include in the White Paper on the proposed entry to the European Economic Community a statement setting out the interpretation given to the term nationals in Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome in each of the countries of the European Economic Community and the consequent liabilities which Great Britain would on entry assume as to permitted entry and employment.
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§ Mr. RipponIt would not be appropriate to include these interpretations in the White Paper. Her Majesty's Government's liabilities are set out in Articles 48–51 of the Treaty of Rome and in Community legislation under these Articles.
§ 99. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will include in the White Paper on the proposed entry to the European Economic Community a statement setting out the position arrived at in the negotiations as to the interpretation and application of the phrase nationals in Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome by reference to the provisions of the British Nationality Act, 1948.
§ Mr. RipponThe precise categories of British subject who would be regarded as falling within a definition of nationality within the terms of Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome are still under discussion with the Community.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a detailed statement showing to what extent adverse effects on the countries of the Commonwealth of Great Britain joining the Common Market will be revised or ameliorated by operating these conditions on a spreadover period of five to 10 years as against being applied immediately on the date of Great Britain's entry.
§ Mr. RipponIn the negotiations with the European Economic Community Her Majesty's Government have reached agreement on arrangements, including transitional arrangements for up to five years, which take full account of the need to provide satisfactory protection for Commonwealth interests.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community and the interchangeability of labour within the Community will affect Members of Parliament; whether Members of national Parliaments of each of the countries of the enlarged Community will be allowed to move freely within those countries and claim the same wages 25W and conditions of employment; and how this will operate in practice.
§ Mr. RipponI am not aware of any European Economic Community provision which would enable hon. Members to claim membership of any other national Parliament.
§ Mr. Laurance Reedasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the monthly pay and allowances given to members of the European Parliament, and how many British Members of Parliament will qualify for these emoluments when Great Britain is a member of the Common Market.
§ Mr. RipponMembers of the European Parliament receive salaries and allowances from their own national Parliaments. For their activities in the European Parliament they receive from Community sources travel expenses at fixed rates, and a daily allowance of B.frs. 2,000 for attendance at sessions of the Parliament and its Committees. In the event of membership it is contemplated that we would nominate 36 members to the European Parliament.