§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the negotiations for the entry of the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community he will seek to ensure that the United Kingdom is granted full voting rights in all community affairs, with effect from the first year of the transitional period.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleYes.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has received from India, Ceylon and Pakistan regarding their wish to conclude trade agreements with an enlarged European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleWe have asked in the European Economic Community negotiations that the enlarged Community should agree to offer to conclude trade agreements with these countries if they seek them, and we are in regular contact with their Governments.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards he has been asked to secure for Northern Ireland if the United Kingdom enters the Common Market; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThe negotiations with the European Economic Community are directed towards securing the best possible advantages and safeguards for the United Kingdom as a whole, and take fully into account the interests of all areas,358W including Northern Ireland. We are in close touch with the Government of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in English the text of all regulations issued by the European Economic Community Commission and Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleTexts of all regulations, directives and decisions of the European Communities are translated into English. Those produced prior to 1967 have been published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Subsequent translations have been distributed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The recipients include Government Departments and the Library of the House. It is intended that all Community legislation which will have effect in this country will be published before Britain joins the Communities.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give the detailed cost of Great Britain's negotiations to enter the Common Market, from the date of first application, and supplying information on travel costs to and from Europe, the tour of the capital cities, grants to organisations such as the European Movement, papers and documents and the cost of preparation of same, salaries of civil servants and Ministers engaged on these activities and all other costs and expenses.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleIt is not possible to dissociate the costs incurred by die Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Government Departments in the negotiations with the European Communities from those incurred by these Departments in furtherance of Her Majesty's Government's policies generally towards Europe and other countries which would be affected by British membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approaches he has received from the British Council of European Movement for increase in their £7,500 per annum grant to foster Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; what was the nature of his 359W reply; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleDiscussions between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and bodies receiving Grants-in-Aid are of a confidential nature. It is our intention that the Grant-in-Aid to the British Council of European Movement should remain at £7,500 in the 1971–72 financial year.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his official discussions with the Trades Union Congress Economic Committee held in London on Wednesday, 27th January concerning the effects of Great Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community on wages, prices and the balance of payments; what was the attitude and view of the Trades Union Congress; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThe meeting on 27th January was one of a series of informal consultations with representatives of the Trades Union Congress about the negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Fidlerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the fact that whatever the result of the present negotiations, Great Britain would be obliged from 1980 onwards to pay about 22–23 per cent. of the total Common Market budget, which would mean an increase in Great Britain's liability in one year after 1980, estimated by Her Majesty's Government at no more than 13–15 per cent. till then, he will state the maximum contribution which Her Majesty's Government regard as acceptable.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThe range of the United Kingdom contribution to the budget is a matter for negotiation.