Mr Humphrey Atkins: I am delighted to have the hon. Gentleman's support.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: As I said earlier, we are in touch with representatives of the Polish Government. We have made precisely the points that the hon. Gentleman has made, but so far to no effect whatever.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: Yes, Sir.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: Yes, Sir. The possibility of a future Labour Government seeking to withdraw Britain from the Community causes anxiety to our colleagues. However, I am happy to be able to reassure my hon. Friend that the likelihood of that is remote.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: The second part of the right hon. Lady's question is more a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer than for me. Surprisingly, I agree with her on the first part of her question.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: If the hon. Gentleman thinks that we can leave the Common Market without damage, he should consult his colleagues in the TUC.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: The agreement reached on 30 May 1980, which provided for refunds of Britain's contributions to the Community budget for 1980,1981 and if necessary 1982, was a major achievement for the Government. It also included a commitment to a reexamination of Community policies with a view to a more durable solution. Discussions on this subject in the Community are continuing and we hope that they will...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: As always, there are none so blind as those who will not see. I direct the hon. Gentleman's attention to my answer referring to the documents that we have deposited in the Library. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman reads them, because then he will see the forward movements, strides and reforms that have taken place in the last few years of our membership of the Community.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I always mistrust questions that start with my hon. Friend's opening words. He said that Britain was a soft option in the Community. Our partners do not regard us in that light. I direct my hon. Friend's attention to the many improvements to the way in which the Community works, brought about at our initiative, and the further improvements that we are seeking. Of course, I do not pretend that...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: We are discussing, not ending the CAP, but the changing it. That is one of the things that we are seeking. I remind the hon. Gentleman that the Heads of Government agreed in May 1980 that it should be altered. We are now engaged in that process and I hope that it will be successful.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I agree with my hon. Friend. Changes are needed in the way in which the Community works. We have been seeking to achieve them. We shall continue to do that and I believe that we shall be successful.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: Although considerable progress has been made towards agreement on a set of guidelines covering the issues raised by the mandate of 30 May 1980, it has not yet been possible to reach complete agreement, in particular on the four key issues identified by the European Council last November. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 February, Ministers agreed to discuss the 30 May mandate at their...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: No, Sir, it would not. I cannot say precisely how long it will take to solve the problem, but the Government remain determined to solve it in accordance with the agreement reached between the Heads of all the member States of the Community.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: The EEC is no more beyond reform than any other body—even the Labour Party.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: Yes, Sir. We are making slower progress than any of us want, but as long as there is progress it is our business to pursue the ends that we all desire.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: No, Sir. Under the auspices of the Labour Government, a clear decision was reached in 1975. This Government are not prepared to give up as easily as the hon. Gentleman apparently is.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's question, but not with the second part. I do not detect any more unity among the Opposition on this subject than on any other subject that is raised in the House.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: No, Sir. Relations between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament were last discussed by the Council on 22 February and these discussions are being continued in the appropriate working group. In addition, discussions between the Council and the Parliament will be starting in the near future about the classification of expenditure in the Community budget and other aspects of the...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: Yes, Sir. The European Parliament serves an extremely useful purpose, but I cannot agree that the Council of Ministers is slapping it down. We are entering into discussions with it on a variety of matters of common interest. During our Presidency, before Christmas, we took particular care to bring the European Parliament into our discussions. Indeed, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I shall not do that and nor am I prepared to assist the hon. Gentleman in his campaign against a man who used to be his right hon. Friend.
