§ 51. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made in the negotiations with the European Economic Community about the adverse effect of the Common Fisheries Policy on the Scottish inshore fishing industry.
§ Mr. RipponExploratory contacts, without prejudice to our position generally on the common fisheries policy of the Community, have continued with the European Economic Community Commission.
Pending completion of the examination of the implications of this policy, Her Majesty's Government continue to reserve their position.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that, during his negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will insist that whatever conditions are eventually agreed nothing will prevent Members of Parliament from having the same rights of questions, voting and rejecting any proposals connected with or from the European Economic Community, or restrict any rights of action at present enjoyed by Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. RipponThe Treaties establishing the European Communities and Community instruments made under those Treaties contain no provisions on procedure in Parliaments of Member States. It is open to Parliaments of Member States to debate issues for decision in the Community before decisions are taken in the Institutions of the Community.
§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the event of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland would be permitted to apply for 382W associate membership on the same basis as other Commonwealth African countries, or whether this would be conditional on their substantially modifying the arrangements for their Customs unions with South Africa.
§ Mr. RipponThe Community has confirmed that, subject to certain special arrangements which may need to be settled at a later stage, the alternatives in the 1963 Declaration of Intent are open to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. It should be possible, in the event of these countries opting for association, to make arrangements which would neither erode the benefits of association for them nor break up the existing Customs union with South Africa.
§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the event of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community, citizens of French overseas territories and departments would have the same rights to enter the United Kingdom to seek employment as citizens of the metropolitan part of the Community.
§ Mr. RipponThe provisions of the Treaty of Rome and Community legislation on freedom of movement of labour apply to the French overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, La Reunion, Martinique and French Guyana.
§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the event of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community, East African Asians and other holders of United Kingdom passports would have the right to enter the other countries of the Community to seek work.
§ Mr. RipponThe categories of United Kingdom citizen who will be eligible to benefit from the European Economic Community provisions on freedom of movement of labour are at present being discussed with the Community.