HL Deb 11 May 1967 vol 282 cc1676-8WA
THE EARL OF MANSFIELD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware that in the event of making a successful application to join the Common Market, there is no legal way in which Great Britain could later withdraw from the European Economic Community, should it be found that continued membership would be inimical to our national interests for political or economic reasons; and whether they will therefore make any request to join conditional on an "Escape clause" being inserted into the Treaty of Rome.

LORD CHALFONT

Her Majesty's Government are certainly aware that there is no limitation on the duration of the Treaty of Rome and that there is no provision in the Treaty for unilateral withdrawal by a single member of the Community.

The answer to the second part of the noble Earl's question is, "No".

THE EARL OF MANSFIELD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make any application to join the European Economic Community conditional upon this and all future Governments of Great Britain being permitted to continue such aid and protection, not only to the farmers of this country but also to the producers throughout the Commonwealth of primary products, such as sugar, as will prevent the ruin that will overtake many of both, should the Government agree to enter the Common Market without due regard to their interests.

LORD CHALFONT

Her Majesty's Government's application for membership of the European Economic Community in accordance with Article 237 of the Treaty of Rome, was presented this morning: the text of the letter of application will be published later to-day.

As the noble Earl will know, the Government have undertaken to safeguard essential British and Commonwealth interests. He will have noticed that in his Statement of May 2, which was repeated in this House, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister included among the major issues which it must be our purpose to resolve during the negotiations which must precede entry, the problems of the potential effect of the Community's Common Agricultural Policy on the structure and well-being of British agriculture, and the problem of Commonwealth sugar-producing countries.

House adjourned, for the Whitsun Recess, at thirteen minutes past seven o'clock.