§ Mr. IrvineTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the adoption of the European Community trade, commercial and economic co-operation agreement with Poland.
§ Mr. RedwoodIn order to encourage the reform process in Poland the Foreign Affairs Council on 3 October adopted a trade and economic co-operation agreement between the European Community and Poland.
In the light of the current international focus of attention on Poland and the wish expressed at the Paris summit to find ways of encouraging the reform process in Poland it was clear that the agreement needed to be implemented as soon as possible. The Government therefore agreed to the adoption of the proposal even though our own parliamentary scrutiny procedures has not been completed. A delay on our part would have hindered the ratification process and would have been misunderstood by Poland and our EC partners.
I regret that the normal parliamentary procedures were not followed on this occasion.