§ 62. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that as the next meeting of the European Free Trade Association this to be held in Reykjavik on 13th and 14th May, he will inform the countries of the Six at the negotiations to be held in Brussels on 11th May that Great Britain can give no definite answers until she has reported the negotiations to be held on 11th May to the European Free Trade Association meeting on 13th and 14th May.
§ Mr. RipponNo. There will, however, no doubt be full discussions at the E.F.T.A. meeting of the position reached by all E.F.T.A. members in their various negotiations and discussions with the Community.
§ 66. Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the recent rioting in Brussels over agricultural prices in the Common Market, he is satis- 266W fled that our representative there or any British Minister visiting that city have adequate protection.
§ Mr. RipponYes.
§ 68. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will appoint someone on the negotiating team for entry into the European Economic Community who has special knowledge of Scottish problems, particularly in view of the retirement of the Ambassador to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThose concerned in the negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community take fully into account the interests of all regions of the United Kingdom, including Scotland.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the light of the official statement by Mr. Deniau speaking on behalf of the European Commission that the delays in negotiating suitable terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community will prevent such entry taking place by January, 1973, thereby necessitating a renegotiation of all the matters which have been agreed to date.
§ Mr. RipponI have no record of any statement to this effect. If the hon. Member will supply me with the basis of his information, I shall be happy to consider it.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the present discussions of a 10 per cent. increase in the price of food in the Six to compensate the farmers of the Six for rising costs of agricultural production will affect Great Britain's terms and conditions of entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThe effect of any changes in agricultural prices agreed in the Communities will be taken into account in the negotiations.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, following the most recent discussions with the European 267W Economic Community Commission, Her Majesty's Government still stand by the assurances given to the Commonwealth Caribbean banana growers in 1967, confirmed in February, 1971, concerning safeguards for these producers on any terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave in answer to a supplementary question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) on 22nd February.—[Vol. 812, c. 13–14.]