§ 54. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the outcome of the discussions in the European Economic Community referred to in paragraph 143 of Command Paper Number 4715, concerning questions arising in respect of the definition of nationality in the Community's Regulations; and if he will make a statement as to their effect.
§ Mr. KershawMy right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the 21W Duchy of Lancaster is today making a statement on this matter in Brussels, and will report to the House on his return.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that a strike is at present in process in the European Economic Community among the staff and officials of the European Economic Community and that this will hold up the signing of Great Britain's accession to the Community; and what action he has taken or proposes to take to ensure the minimum delay in signing the Treaty.
§ Mr. KershawI share the hon. Member's desire to avoid any delay in signing the Treaty. I hope that the dispute between the staff of the European Economic Community and the Council of Ministers will not cause such a delay.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the index to the Community instruments which will be binding on the United Kingdom at the time of entry into the European Economic Community to be published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office will be publicly available before the signing of any document by Her Majesty's Government with the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. KershawThe index will be made publicly available following publication of the texts of Community instruments which will be binding on the United Kingdom on accession and which will be made available to Parliament before the legislation consequent on signature of the instruments of accession to the Communities is presented to Parliament.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he now expects to sign the first formal agreement with the European Economic Community on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.
§ Mr. KershawIt remains our aim to sign the instruments of accession before Christmas.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community have officially announced 22W that the economic measures introduced by the United States Government will reduce the Community's trade balance by $2,000 million, and cut the annual growth rate of European Economic Community exports from the current 8 per cent. to 4.5 per cent., and that 87 per cent of the Community's exports will be affected, wiping out most of the Dillon and Kennedy rounds of tariff cutting negotiations; and to what extent this will affect Great Britain's terms of entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. KershawI am aware that the Commission of the European Communities published a working paper in September giving these estimates.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has fined a Belgian company $4,000 for providing inadequate information about its trading practices; and to what extent on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community firms of sugar refiners will be liable to similar action.
§ Mr. KershawI am aware that a fine of this order has been imposed on a Belgium firm under Articles 11 to 14 of European Economic Community Regulation No. 17 of 1962. The closest contact has been maintained with the sugar industry on matters relating to their observance of the enlarged Community's legislation.