HC Deb 02 July 1971 vol 820 cc215-8W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many jobs he estimates to have been created for workers in European Economic Community countries in the last 10 years by British companies establishing subsidiary plants in the European Economic Communities countries.

Mr. Rippon

I regret that no precise figures are available. I can, however, confirm that in this period British and partly British firms have in the course of their operations in European Economic Community countries created additional jobs both for workers from the Community and from Britain.

Mr. Mather

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will include in the forthcoming White Paper on Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community the implication of the Treaty of Rome and the decision that has flowed there from, particularly as it affects the British Constitution, Parliament and people.

Mr. Rippon

The scope of the forthcoming White Paper was defined by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his statement on 17th June. It will add to information already provided, notably in the White Paper of May, 1967.—[Vol. 819, c. 643–5.]

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will withhold publication of the White Paper on the negotiations for Great Britain's accession to the European Economic Community until after the Ministerial discussion on fishing on 12th July.

Mr. Rippon

No. The White Paper will set out in detail the arrangements reached in the negotiations and the current position on fisheries.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Comonwealth Affairs whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, entitled The Second Battle of Britain, dealing with the application to join the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement thereon.

Mr. Rippon

The communication in question has been received. Whilst I do not agree with some of its contents relating to the European Economic Community, I respect the right of those who hold divergent views to express them.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in support of his declared policy of consulting the people and obtaining the views of the electorate on the issue of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, he will make an official statement calling upon the electorate to write to him on this subject and keep a record of these communications for subsequent publication showing the number for, against and those asking for information.

Mr. Rippon

The electorate are well aware that they may write to Ministers and to their Members about British entry to the European Community. Records of these communications are kept, but due to their diversity it is not practicable to classify them in the manner suggested.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what value Canada's exports to the United Kingdom would be reduced by British entry to the European Economic Community on the terms so far negotiated; what representations he has received from the Canadian Government on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

Throughout the negotiations there has been full and frequent consultation with representatives of the Canadian Government. It is not possible to predict the future value of Canada's exports to the United Kingdom, but a considerable proportion of them would not be affected by our entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to safeguard Canada's exports of forest products to the United Kingdom, including newsprint, wood pulp and plywood, in the event of Sweden and Finland gaining duty-free entry for their exports of these products to the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

Satisfactory arrangements have been reached with the Community on these items. The details were published in the OFFICIAL REPORT with my statement of 17th May. Canada's exports of these commodities would benefit from the provisions made which take into account possible future arrangements between the enlarged Community and Sweden and Finland.

Throughout the negotiations, consultation has been maintained with the Canadians. Mr. Pepin, Canadian Minister of Trade and Industry, visited London in October and I went to Canada in March. We have informed Canadian representatives at every stage of the negotiations about matters affecting their interests.—[Vol. 817, c. 905–6.]

Mr. Cormack

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will arrange for the publication of a complete list of all the measures that would have to be approved by Parliament before Great Britain's entry to the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

If Parliament decides in the forthcoming debate on the White Paper that the terms negotiated for entry into the Communities are satisfactory in principle, legislation will be submitted at an appropriate stage to Parliament to give effect to the Treaty of Accession.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has negotiated transitional arrangements regarding free movement of labour between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

No. We have made proposals related to Northern Ireland as outlined in my answer to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 14th June.—[Vol. 819, c.17.]

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has yet clarified the categories of United Kingdom residents who will be eligible under the European Economic Community provisions for free movement of labour.

Mr. Rippon

Discussions on this subject are not yet complete, but it may be assumed that Commonwealth citizens who have registered as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies would be included amongst those eligible.

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