HC Deb 17 May 1971 vol 817 cc187-92W
26. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he now has to discuss with the Governments of the other applicant countries the common fisheries policy of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

I have no present plan for formal discussions but Her Majesty's Government take a close interest in the attitudes of other applicant countries and have had contacts with them about matters of common interest arising from the common fisheries policy of the European Economic Community generally.

43. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the current monetary difficulties amongst the Six, he will withdraw the United Kingdom's application to join the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

No.

45. Mr. Ronald King Murray

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why, in the light of the conditional and permissive character of the provisions for regional policy contained in Article 92(3) of the Treaty of Rome, he will not seek an explicit declaration by the Six, prior to British entry, about their future intentions in this field.

Mr. Rippon

Regional policy has not yet been developed far on a Community basis. A wide range of regional aid policies are implemented by governments of the Six and Her Majesty's Government have no reason to expect that their regional aid policies will encounter any fundamental difficulties arising from Article 92(3) of the Treaty of Rome.

47. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest proposals for sugar by the European Economic Community Commission; what representation he has received from the Commonwealth sugar-producing countries arising from them; and what reply he has given.

Mr. Rippon

I shall be covering fully the Community proposals on sugar from the developing Commonwealth in my statement later this afternoon. As I have explained to the Community I look forward to consultations with governments of Commonwealth sugar-producing countries to, obtain their reactions to these proposals.

48 and 64. Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will take steps, in negotiations with the European Economic Community, to ensure that no discriminatory restrictions are imposed, under Articles 48 to 66 of the Treaty of Rome, on the freedom of movement within the Community of persons having British nationality, and already established in the United Kingdom, on the ground of their racial or national origin;

(2) if he will take steps, in the negotiations with the European Economic Community, to ensure that no discriminatory restrictions are imposed, under Articles 48 to 66 of the Treaty of Rome, on the freedom of movement within the Community of Commonwealth citizens, who may become entitled to establishment in the United Kingdom under present or future United Kingdom legislation, on the ground of their racial or national origin.

Mr. Rippon

The categories of British national who may benefit from the provisions of the Treaty of Rome referred to are the subject of discussions with the Community.

49. Mr. Shore

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding acceptance after the end of the transitional period of the European Economic Community system for financial contributions to the Community Budget.

Mr. Rippon

Her Majesty's Government accept the financial system of the Community. The size of Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the Community budget after the end of the transitional period remains a matter for negotiation.

50. Mr. Selwyn Gummer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of the negotiations for Great Britain to join the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

I shall be making a statement on last week's negotiating meetings in Brussels later today.

51. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the New Zealand Government regarding the terms offered for New Zealand produce in the recent meeting at Brussels.

62. Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the New Zealand Government about the recent European Economic Community proposals for the treatment of New Zealand dairy products in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

The Community has not made any proposal to us on the treatment of New Zealand products. Her Majesty's Government maintain the closest consultation with the New Zealand Government about the negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community.

52. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been made for associate membership of the European Economic Community for Sweden and Finland, if Great Britain should join the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

Both Finland and Sweden, like other E.F.T.A. members who are not applicants for membership of the European Economic Community, are holding talks with the Community with a view to some form of arrangement with the European Economic Community.

55. Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the role of sterling was discussed at the most recent meeting in Brussels on Great Britain's proposed entry to the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

I made a statement at the meeting on 12th May, but there was no discussion.

57. Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the European Economic Community countries and the Commonwealth concerning the registration of immigrants pursuant to the requirements of the Immigration Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

Discussions with the European Economic Community on the implementation of detailed aspects of Community provisions on the freedom of movement of persons are in progress. Community legislation allows Member States considerable latitude in deciding procedures for the registration of persons exercising rights of freedom of movement under the Treaty of Rome. There have not been consultations with the Commonwealth on these provisions of the Immigration Bill.

58. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to achieve for Jamaica in addition to the Windward Islands, European Economic Community Associated Territory status.

Mr. Rippon

The question of association for Jamaica and a number of the independent Commonwealth countries was discussed in the negotiations in Brussels last week and will be referred to in my statement to the House later this afternoon.

59. Mr. Wellbeloved

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the authentic English text of the Treaty of Rome will be available to the public.

Mr. Rippon

The authentic English text of the Treaty of Rome will be available to the public shortly. An informal translation of the Treaty of Rome prepared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office since 1962.

60. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will arrange to hold a public meeting in Westminster on Saturday, 5th June, 1971, to explain the Government's policies in relation to entering the European Economic Community, in the light of the Ministerial meeting in Brussels between 11th and 14th May.

Mr. Rippon

No, but Her Majesty's Government will continue to keep the House, and through it the Press and public, fully informed about their policy on entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for increasing the information available to members of the public on the economic and political consequences of entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Anthony Royle

The Government are issuing a series of factual broadsheets, known as factsheets, about the European Communities, about Britain's negotiations for entry, and about the implications for Britain if we join. Four of these have been issued and 10 more are planned.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future of low-interest loans to developing countries of the Commonwealth should the United Kingdom join the European Economic Community, in the light of the latest negotiations.

Mr. Wood

There is no common E.E.C. policy on the terms of aid and our entry into the Community should not in itself affect the terms of aid loans to these countries.