§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if the New Zealand Government have accepted in principle that their United Kingdom butter quota should be reduced, in the event of the United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community;
(2) if he is aware that any reduction in the New Zealand butter quota would adversely affect New Zealand's growing export trade in non-fat dairy products; 278W and if he will take steps in the current negotiations to ensure that this does not happen;
(3) what consultations have taken place with the New Zealand Government on proposals that the New Zealand butter quota should be reduced by at least 20 per cent. during the transition period, in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponThe New Zealand Government are aware that, if the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community, the present quota arrangement for butter in the United Kingdom market will be superseded.
I am in close touch with the New Zealand Government about all aspects of the special arrangement which will be necessary in those circumstances for New Zealand butter. At the negotiating meeting with the Community on 11th and 12th May I again drew attention to the special nature of New Zealand's problems and to the need to find a special solution to them.
I am aware that if export opportunities in the United Kingdom were reduced, New Zealand would be likely to have a greater problem in disposing of butter fat than of non-fat dairy products.
§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community, it is his intention to terminate the London Agreement, 1938, Number 38, Command Paper Number 5966, with India; what representations he has received from the Indian Government in this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponIt is too soon to reach a decision. A number of factors would need to be taken into acount, including the terms on which we enter the Community. We shall remain in touch with the Indian Government.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give further details of the 300 letters and cards sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, during last month on the question of Great Britain's entry into the European 279W Economic Community; and how many of these were in favour and how many against Great Britain's entry.
§ Mr. RipponI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 10th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 23.]
§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list, subject by subject, of the regulations under the Treaty of Rome which will apply in the United Kingdom if she joins the European Economic Community on present known terms.
§ Mr. RipponExamination of acts of secondary legislation is part of the current negotiations and has not yet been completed. When the process of agreeing the texts of the adaptations required is completed, texts of all regulations in force, in English, will be made available to the House.
§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many regulations made under the provisions of the Treaty of Rome are now in force; and what number of these would apply in the United Kingdom if she joined the European Economic Community on the latest known terms.
§ Mr. RipponAbout 2,000 regulations are now in force. Regulations of the European Economic Community are of direct application in member States.