§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the EEC declaration "European Identity", he will now define what is meant by European Union mentioned therein.
§ Mr. John DaviesThe declaration to which my hon. Friend refers defines the European identity in terms of the present. European Union is for the future and will be achieved step by step.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the moral order of, respectively, each member of the EEC which is to be respected, as mentioned in the EEC declaration "European Identity".
§ Mr. John DaviesThe remainder of the paragraph from which my hon. Friend quotes makes clear the meaning of the phrase.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the legal status of the EEC declaration "European Identity"; whether it was approved by the British Government's representatives at the Copenhagen summit meeting; and on what authority.
§ Mr. John DaviesAs is stated on the front of the White Paper containing the text on the European Identity (Cmnd. 5516) the document was approved by the Foreign Ministers of the nine member States of the European Communities and published on the occasion of the European summit meeting in Copenhagen on 14th December 1973. It was approved by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. It is a statement of political analysis and intention rather than an international agreement or other legal instrument embodying rights and obligations.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the principles of social justice which the EEC is determined to defend, as mentioned in the EEC declaration 310W "European Identity"; and against whom they will be defended.
§ Mr. John DaviesSocial justice is a principle in itself and should be defended against attack from any quarter.