§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the negotiations over the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will state what quantity of sugar was imported into Holland from the Dutch dependency of Surinam in 1968, and what is the quantity for 1971; and if he will make a statement giving the reasons for the reduction.
§ Mr. RipponFigures from international sources show that the Netherlands imported 7,182 metric tons of raw sugar from Surinam in 1968. No figure can yet be quoted for 1971. Under arrangements agreed with the European Economic Community it is understood that the Netherlands have the right to import, free of levy, 4,000 tons of raw sugar per year until 1974 from Surinam but reports indicate Surinam's exports of sugar may be seriously reduced in 1971 due to damage to cane by pests.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he is satisfied that the Commission and the Six Member Countries of the European Economic Community are aware of the special problems which would arise in relation to Northern Ireland if the United Kingdom were to enter the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what part the special economic problems of Northern Ireland will play in the decision of Her Majesty's Government to accept or reject terms of entry to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThe decision whether to enter the Community will be taken in the light of the advantages secured for the United Kingdom as a whole, having regard to the interests of all areas including Northern Ireland. In our negotiations with the Community, we are taking full account of those interests.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 70W what consultations have taken place on the constitutional and financial position of the Isle of Man if Great Britain should join the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponThere has been full consultation with representatives of the Isle of Man Government covering all the implications for the Island of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community. We expect to have discussions with the Six very shortly on arrangements which will best meet the wishes and needs of the Isle of Man.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why, in the event of Parliament approving the instruments of accession to the Treaties of the Communities, he will not propose in the accompanying legislation that the House of Commons should be able to renounce membersip on behalf of the United Kingdom at any future date.
§ Mr. RipponIn legislation to give effect to a treaty in this country, it is neither usual nor appropriate to provide for the termination of our international obligations under the treaty.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the present practice of proposals being made by the Commission and Ministers to the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community being confidential and unquestionable by the House of Commons or its Members will continue on present known terms if Great Britain enters the Common Market.
§ Mr. RipponHon. Members will continue to be free to question Ministers about proposals in the European Economic Community as they affect the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the recent official visit to Great Britain of Mr. Don Dunstan, the Prime Minister of South Australia; what discussions he had with him concerning Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and what was 71W the attitude and view of the South Australian Prime Minister as expressed to him on this subject.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend received Mr. Dunstan on 25th May. In the part of their discussion which related to the European Economic Community, Mr. Dunstan expressed fears for South Australia's export trade with the United Kingdom in certain goods and commodities. My right hon. Friend cited the overall buoyancy of the Australian economy and explained that the effects of European Economic Community entry (which could affect only a small proportion of Australia's export earnings) would be spread over five to eight years.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent, if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community, the implementation of Article 189 of the Treaty of Rome will enable the British House of Commons to pray for the annulment of orders made by the Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. RipponArticle 189 of the Treaty of Rome defines the effect of regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions of the Council of Ministers and the Commission of the European Economic Community in Member States. If Parliament approves an Instrument of Accession to the European Communities its powers in relation to acts of the Council and Commission will be exercised in the light of this article.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he has agreed in principle to the European Economic Community countries having the same freedom of capital movements as applied to the countries of the sterling area on Great Britain's entry into the Community; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponWe have proposed that we should comply, by the end of the transitional period, with the obligations of the Community concerning movements of capital within an enlarged Community. I will report to the House on the outcome of the negotiations with the Community on this matter as soon as they are concluded.