§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, if Great Britain joins the Common Market, the residual national contributions will be replaced from 1975 onwards by up to 1 per cent, of the receipts from a value-added tax or by a 1 per cent, value-added tax.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThe present system calls on the present member states of the Community for a financial contribution from 1975 which may not exceed 1 per cent, of the receipts from a value-added tax.
Her Majesty's Government will conform with the financial system of the 128W Community by the end of the transitional period agreed in the negotiations.
Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the Governments of South Africa, Canada, Norway, Iceland and Denmark with regard to Articles 17 to 21 of R.2142/70 of the European Economic Community fisheries policy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponThere have been no consultations with the Governments of South Africa and Canada on this subject. We have had contacts with the Governments of Denmark and Norway, who have also applied for membership of the European Economic Community, on matters of mutual interest arising out of the European Economic Community fisheries policy generally. We are also in regular contact with the Government of Iceland as a fellow member of E.F.T.A.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that the Danish Government have now agreed to hold a referendum on whether or not Denmark should enter the Common Market; and whether, in view of this new information, he will reconsider the question of Great Britain holding a similar referendum and arrange to have discussions with the Danish Government to ascertain how and in what way, they are to hold their referendum and to see to what extent a similar type of consultation with the people can be organised in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleArrangements for referenda in other countries on entry into the European Economic Community have no relevance to the position in this country. In arriving at a decision on terms agreed in the British negotiations with the European Economic Community established constitutional processes will be followed.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in addition to Parliaments of member States being enabled to debate issues for decision in the Community before decisions are taken in the institution of the Community, the Parliaments of member States are also enabled 129W to debate and change their decisions after the Community and/or its institutions have reached a decision on any matter.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleIt would be open to Parliament to debate Community legislation after it has been made by the institutions of the Community. If Parliament approves instruments of accession to the Treaties of the Community, these and accompanying United Kingdom legislation would determine the rôle of Parliament in relation to Community legislation.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recommend the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate the amount of moneys spent in Great Britain on advertisements in the Press advocating Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleNo.