§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the difference between regulations affecting the rights of citizens of former French dependencies to live and work in the countries of the European Economic Community compared with proposed regulations of a similar nature affecting citizens of the Commonwealth and Channel Islands.
§ Mr. RipponThere is no difference except for the citizens of the French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Martinique and French Guyana, which are part of metropolitan France, and to which the European Economic Community freedom of movement of labour provisions consequently apply.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, dated 26th March, regarding matters affecting British citizens rights on entry into the Common Market, and on his reply.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has received the hon. Gentleman's letter. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary received one in identical terms.
I have nothing to add to the letter which my hon. Friend the Under-Secre- 14W tary of State for the Home Department has already sent to the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that Members of Parliament are still unable to obtain English translations of European Economic Community directive No. C/105/14, dated 15th August, 1970, and agreed on 31st January, 1972, on car insurance premiums and harmonisatiton; and whether he will now make them available.
§ Mr. RipponI have nothing to add to the second and third paragraphs of my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 27th March.—[Vol. 834, c.2–3.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent discussions with countries of the Commonwealth regarding the effects on the Commonwealth nations of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed the United Kingdom's entry to the European Communities with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of India, when he visited India in February. In the same month I discussed this issue with the Prime Minister of Mauritius in London.
Her Majesty's Government remain in close and continuing touch with Commonwealth Governments on this question.