§ 19. Mr. Albuasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussions he has had with the European Economic Community on the proposals in the Werner Report; and with what result.
§ Mr. RipponThe issues raised by the Werner Report, although of great interest to us, are not matters which are being covered directly in the negotiations with the European Communities.
§ 39. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of Great Britain's negotiations to enter the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) and other hon. Members.
§ 43. Mr. Moyleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will state the terms on which the African Commonwealth 2W states will be associated with the European Economic Community in the event of British membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThe Communities have agreed that the alternatives listed in the Community's Declaration of Intent of 1963 would be open to independent Commonwealth countries in Africa, with the exception of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, whose position is the subject of further discussion. The choice between these alternatives lies with the Commonwealth Governments concerned.
§ 44. Mr. Moyleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to rely on Article 108 of the Treaty of Rome in order to protect the United Kingdom's financial interests in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponWe accept that financial safeguards are provided for in Article 108 of the Treaty of Rome. In addition, in relation to the United Kingdom contribution to the Community budget, we are seeking some agreement reflecting the Community's own view that if unacceptable situations were to arise the Community's survival would demand equitable solutions.
§ 45. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long he expects negotiations of entry into the Common Market to continue, in view of the continuing hostility being shown to it by the British electorate.
§ Mr. RipponI am satisfied that all the parties are making efforts to see that the negotiations are concluded as soon as possible. I am optimistic that we shall be able to break the back of the negotiations by the summer.
§ 46. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has had from Commonwealth countries on Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.
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§ Mr. RipponI and my right hon. Friends are in regular contact with representatives of Commonwealth Governments about Britain's negotiations for membership of the European Economic Community.
§ 50. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to publish a revised economic assessment on the cost of joining the European Economic Community as a White Paper.
§ Mr. RipponNo. I do not think that any revised assessment at this stage would add usefully to the information which has already been provided.
§ 52. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the discussions held by Ministers of his Department with Mr. Clifford Hardin, the United States Agriculture Secretary, on matters connected with agriculture, infringement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and dangers to trade, etc., on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community without safeguards for agriculture.
§ Mr. RipponI met Mr. Hardin on 14th December; our discussions were on British proposals for an interim levy scheme for certain agricultural products.
§ 54. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on Great Britain's negotiations with the European Economic Community in the light of the discussions which took place at Brussels on Tuesday, 15th December on the question of the central European control of currency and economic planning matters; and to what extent he estimates the failure to agree on these matters will delay the negotiations on finding acceptable terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThe discussions in Brussels on 15th December were confidential, but I understand that no conclusions were reached. The proposals for economic and monetary integration in the Werner Report are of great significance and we believe we have much to contri-4W bute, but the discussions of them are not part of our negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community, and there is, in our view, no reason why they should delay the progress in the negotiations.
§ 57. Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedure is being followed to maintain an exchange of views among European Free Trade Association members on the negotiations by some of its members to enter the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponWe are in close touch with our E.F.T.A. partners. Negotiations by E.F.T.A. members with the E.E.C. are discussed at E.F.T.A. Council meetings, both at official and ministerial level. It is our practice as it is the practice of other E.F.T.A. countries to brief E.F.T.A. representatives in Brussels after each negotiating meeting.
§ 60. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussions he has had with the European Economic Community on the Werner Report.
§ Mr. RipponNone.
§ 61. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about the progress of negotiations to enter the Common Market.
§ Mr. RipponI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) and other hon. Members.
§ 62. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a progress report on his negotiations with European and Commonwealth leaders on the future of the Commonwealth sugar agreements in relation to Great Britain's possible entry to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponIn the negotiations with the European Communities we have asked for a form of continuing arrangement, subject to review. We remain in 5W close touch with Commonwealth Governments about the future of sugar from developing Commonwealth countries.
§ 63. Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from Cornish fishing interests concerning fishery limits in the European Economic Community; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. RipponUp to 20th January I had received 16 letters from Cornish fishing interests. My replies have explained that we have told the Communities that the introduction of a common fisheries policy raises problems for us, and that for the present we have reserved our position on this subject.
§ 72. Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards he has been asked to secure for the Channel Islands if Great Britain enters the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponMy noble Friend the Minister of State for the Home Department and I have had confidential discussions with representatives of the Islands' authorities on the implications for them of Britain joining the Common Market. I would not wish to disclose details of these discussion which impinged on the negotiations in Brussels.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the European Economic Community to consider possible exceptions to the general provisions of Article 92 of the Treaty of Rome, with a view to assisting upland farmers in the event of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThis has not arisen since the Communities have not formulated a regional policy in furtherance of Articles 92, 93 and 94 of the Treaty of Rome. Her Majesty's Government are keeping the position of upland farmers under close review in the context of the negotiations now taking place.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common- 6W wealth Affairs what advice he has received from non-governmental public bodies concerning the likely special effects upon Wales of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThere have been regular consultations between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and the National Farmers' Union. Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the special interests of the regions, including Wales.