HC Deb 29 June 1971 vol 820 cc89-91W
57. Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now announce the date of publication of the Government's White Paper setting out the terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

I have nothing to add to the reply 1 gave to the right hon. Member for Cheetham (Mr. Harold Lever) in the course of my statement on 24th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 1611.]

Mr. Gwynoro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that the envisaged White Paper on the Common Market negotiations will include a chapter on the likely effect on development areas of any proposed entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

The White Paper will set out in detail the arrangements agreed with the Community. Regional policy has not developed far on a Community basis, and was not therefore an issue in the negotiations. A wide range of regional policies are implemented by the Six and Her Majesty's Government have no reason to expect that their regional aid policies will encounter any fundamental difficulties arising from membership of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Shore

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total amount, gross and net, that he expects Great Britain to pay to the European Economic Community Budget in the seven-year transitional period.

Mr. Rippon

Pending the publication of Her Majesty's Government's forthcoming White Paper on the negotiations with the European Economic Community, I have nothing to add to my statement on 24th June—[Vol. 819, c. 1604–10.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent, on Great Britain's entry to the European Economic Community, representatives from the House of Lords will be entitled to be elected to the European Parliament; and on what basis.

Mr. Rippon

The composition of the British delegation to the European Parliament is not a matter which need be considered in detail until a decision has been taken on Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals being discussed by the countries of the Six for a freely and democratically elected Parliamentary Assembly; and to what extent the United Kingdom will have to participate in such an arrangement in the event of joining the European Economic Community.

Mr. Rippon

The European Community has not yet agreed proposals for elections to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage. After enlargement, Her Majesty's Government will participate fully in discussions arising from Article 138(3) of the Treaty of Rome.

Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the public statements in relation to Northern Ireland made in June by the British negotiators in Brussels during the Common Market negotiations, and make a statement on the extent to which these matters have been deal with by the Council of Ministers of the Six.

Mr. Rippon

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 14th June. As I told the House on 24th June, we have not yet reached agreement with the Community on the proposals referred to.—[Vol. 819, c.17; c. 1610.]

Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will now publish a White Paper on the advantages and disadvantages to agriculture of Great Britain joining the Common Market;

(2) whether he will now publish a White Paper on the advantages and disadvantages to the iron and steel industry of Great Britain joining the Common Market;

(3) whether he will now publish a White Paper on the advantages and disadvantages to the coal mining industry of Great Britain joining the Common Market.

Mr. Rippon

The forthcoming White Paper will set out details of the arrangements agreed with the European Economic Community.