HL Deb 10 July 2003 vol 651 cc50-1WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 17 June (WA 90–91), what policy areas became subject to European law upon the entry into force of the European Communities Act 1973 and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community. [HL3569]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

The task of the EEC wasby establishing a common market and progressively approximating the economic policies of member states, to promote throughout the Community a harmonious development of economic activities, a continuous and balanced expansion, an increase in stability, an accelerated raising of the standard of living and closer relations between the states belonging to it.

For those purposes, and as set out elsewhere in the Treaty, the activities of the Community were:

  1. (a) the elimination, as between member states, of customs duties and of quantitative restrictions on the import and export of goods, and of all other measures having equivalent effect;
  2. (b) the establishment of a common customs tariff and of a common commercial policy towards third countries;
  3. (c) the abolition, as between member states, of obstacles to freedom of movement for persons, services and capital;
  4. (d) the adoption of a common policy in the sphere of agriculture;
  5. (e) the adoption of a common policy in the sphere of transport;
  6. (f) the institution of a system ensuring that competition in the common market is not distorted;
  7. (g) the application of procedures by which the economic policies of member states can be coordinated and disequilibria in their balances of payments remedied;
  8. (h) the approximation of the laws of member states to the extent required for the proper functioning of the common market;
  9. (i) the creation of a European Social Fund in order to improve employment opportunities for workers and to contribute to the raising of their standard of living;
  10. (j) the establishment of a European Investment Bank to facilitate the economic expansion of the Community by opening up fresh resources;
  11. (k) the association of the overseas countries and territories in order to increase trade and to promote jointly economic and social development.