European Economic Community

HC Deb 10 May 1971 vol 817 cc21-4W

83. Mr. Ronald King Murray

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in light of the conditional and permissive character of the provisions of regional policy contained in Article 92(3) of the Treaty of Rome, he will seek an explicit declaration by the Six, prior to British entry, about their future intentions in this field.

Mr. Rippon

No.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in negotiations with the European Economic Community to ensure the continuance of the International Sugar Agreement in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

The continuation of the International Sugar Agreement of 1968 does not depend upon Britain's negotiations with the European Economic Community.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to have the response from the European Economic Community on his proposals for some form of continuing arrangements, subject to review, so far as New Zealand's exports of dairy products are concerned; and whether he will publish this reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Rippon

We hope the Community will be in a position to reply in the near future. The details must remain confidential during the negotiations but I shall keep the House informed of developments.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will explain in more detail the type of sheepmeat regulation affecting exports of lamb, which would be unfavourable to New Zealand, and which would necessitate him reopening the matter with the countries of the Six.

Mr. Rippon

We have consistently emphasised to the Community the ex- treme dependence of New Zealand on her exports of certain products, including lamb. I do not think it would be useful to speculate in detail on a future regulation. If, however, the Community proposed to introduce a regulation which would inflict serious damage on New Zealand exports of lamb to an enlarged Community, this would have to be raised with them.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement giving full details as to how Parliament will continue to exercise Sovereign powers in most areas of policy, except those delegated to European institutions on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; on what basis of Parliamentary consent these delegated powers to European institutions will be arranged; and whether British Members of Parliament will have the right to participate in the day-to-day work of all of these European institutions.

Mr. Rippon

If we enter the European Economic Community, Parliament will, in most areas of policy, continue to exercise its powers in the same way as it does today.

After our accession it would be open to our Parliament, as it is to the Parliaments of other member States, to debate, before their enactment, those Community instruments to be submitted by the Commission to the Council of Ministers for approval. We shall be represented in all the Community institutions, including the European Parliament.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to hold an official meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand so as to discuss with him the results of recent meetings between him and the governments of the European Economic Community countries, in particular France.

Mr. Rippon

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have immediate plans to do so. The position was discussed in full with Sir Keith Holyoake during his recent visit to London and the process of consultation with the New Zealand authorities will continue.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give for the longest convenient period of time up to 8th May 1971, the number of letters and cards sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, forwarded from his constituents, in support of and against Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and what action he proposes to take to satisfy the requests made by the hon. Members' constituents.

Mr. Rippon

The hon. Gentleman has sent me over 300 letters and cards in the last month. The contents of all of them have been noted and replies have been or will be sent to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for the longest convenient stated period of time what was the number of letters, postcards and other communications received by him supporting and opposing Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will give details of the number in each category.

Mr. Rippon

In March and April, I received between 200 and 250 written communications from members of the public about Britain's entry into the European Community. Some of these were in favour of entry, some were against and some were straightforward requests for information. It would not be possible to put them into precise categories.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he estimates the worsening of the economic situation in the countries of the Six during the current year will adversely affect Great Britain's economy on any known terms of entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

There is no reason to suppose that the changes in the economic situation in the Six, which are not particular to the Six and are not necessarily more than temporary in character, will adversely affect the United Kingdom if we join the European Economic Community on satisfactory terms.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, as the Commission of the European Communities have had draft directives on non-life insurance in preparation since 1966, what action Her Majesty's Government have taken, or intend taking, to reach a settlement of this question before agreeing to enter the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

We have looked at various versions of the draft directives on non-life insurance since 1966 and have made our views about them known to the Community. As they are still in draft form, and we do not yet know what the substance of the final versions will be, we are not at present in a position to take this matter further with the Community.