§ 50. Mr. Henigasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent diplomatic contacts with the European Communities.
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§ Mr. George Thomson:We are in constant touch through the normal diplomatic channels and, as occasion permits, at Ministerial level, with the Governments of the Six and with the Commission of the European Communities. I have visited all the capitals of the Six in recent months, and there have also been a number of Ministerial and official visitors from the Six to this country. As hon. Members will be aware, we shall be welcoming this week the President of the European Parliament, Signor Mario Scelba.
§ 56. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now announce the actual date when the negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will commence and the names of the team of negotiators representing Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. George Thomson:On the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer to the reply which I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton). As to the composition of the British delegation appointed to negotiate for Britain's entry, details were announced on 11th April.
The following is the announcement—
BRITAIN AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES: NEGOTIATING DELEGATION
The names of the senior members of the British delegation appointed to negotiate for British entry into the European Communities are published today. As already announced, the Ministerial leader will be the Right Honourable George Thomson, M.P., the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The Leader of the Delegation at the official level will be Sir Con O'Neill, K.C.M.G., a Deputy Under-Secretary of State in the F.C.O. The other members will be:
Mr. G. R. Bell, C.B., Third Secretary, H.M. Treasury;
Mr. G. R. Denman, C.M.G., on promotion to Deputy Secretary, Board of Trade.
Mr. F. M. Kearns, M.C., Deputy Secretary, M.A.F.F.
Mr. W. P. Shovelton, Under Secretary, Ministry of Technology.
Mr. J. A. Robinson, C.M.G., a Counsellor in the Diplomatic Service, will also be a member of the Delegation. Its Legal Adviser will be Mr. I. M. Sinclair of the F.C.O. In addition, Sir J. Marjoribanks, K.C.M.G., H.M. Ambassador to the European Communities in Brussels. and his Deputy, Mr. K. C. Christofas, 8W C.M.G., M.B.E., Minister Plenipotentiary, will be nominated as members of the negotiating Delegation, but will also continue to discharge their duties with the Permanent U.K. Delegation to the Communities in Brussels.
Officials from other Departments (including the Home Office, Scottish Office and the Welsh Office) will be available to join the Delegation as required.
The necessary junior supporting staff to complete the negotiating Delegation is also being selected and appointed.
News Department,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
10 April 1970.
§ 60. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that Belgian housewives are regularly coming to South-East coast towns to purchase household goods which, after taking account of the boat fare of £10, are 50 per cent. cheaper than comparable goods in Belgium, and that British shopkeepers earn up to £1,000 per day by this trade; and to what extent he estimates Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will affect this trade.
§ Mr. George Thomson:As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I have like him seen reports to this effect; the answer to the second part is that it will depend on the results of our negotiations for entry.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that under the Barre Plan for the Common Market, a copy of which is in his possession, decisions on finance and economics and on social welfare and all other matters of expenditure will be taken in Brussels; and if Her Majesty's Government will now withdraw the United Kingdom application to join.
§ Mr. George Thomson:No.
This is not my understanding of the Barre Plan. There are a number of plans in this field under discussion within the European Economic Community. Her Majesty's Government will not withdraw the United Kingdom application for membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been 9W made in the attempt to participate in European Economic Community discussions on progress towards European political union.
§ Mr. George Thomson:This question is at present under discussion amongst the Foreign Ministers of the Six. We are in close consultation with them about the report they have been asked by their Governments to produce by the end of July.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of public concern about Great Britain's entry into the Common Market and the representations received from Commonwealth countries, he will propose negotiations in London for the establishment by treaty of a Commonwealth European Market involving the countries of the Commonwealth, the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Association.
§ Mr. George Thomson:No.