Mr Humphrey Atkins: I take note of what the hon. Gentleman says, and I am always grateful for his support. I shall not give him details of any plans that we might have in mind if there were a total breakdown in the discussions, because it is our hope and belief that there will not be such a breakdown.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor).
Mr Humphrey Atkins: It seems to have escaped the hon. Gentleman's attention that countries outside the Community also suffer from unemployment.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: My hon. Friend has used those figures before. I remind him that our total net contribution last year was £55 million. That is an improvement, and the present discussions taking place in the Community are designed to secure the position for the future.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I am sure that it does, and the Labour Party has a great deal about which to be disappointed
Mr Humphrey Atkins: No. Because our efforts at present are designed to reform the CAP, and we believe that we shall be successful.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: No, Sir. The hon. Member will have noted that the Commission has issued a statement which makes it clear that Mr. Thorn was misreported. I understand that the radio station concerned has since confirmed this.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I did not say that the statement had been withdrawn. It could not have been withdrawn, because it was never made. Mr. Thorn's office and the radio station have confirmed that it was misreported. If the hon Gentleman wishes to see precisely what Mr. Thorn did say, I shall arrange for that information to be made available.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I do not think that matter arises from this question, but I shall pursue my hon. Friend's point.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: With permission, Mr. Speaker, I will make a statement on the Foreign Affairs Council which took place in Brussels on 22 and 23 March. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and I represented Her Majesty's Government on Monday and my right hon. and noble Friend the Foreign Secretary was our representative yesterday. The Council decided that the Community should sign the sixth...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: The hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heffer) has quoted from newspapers. Surely by now he knows better than to believe all that he reads in the newspapers. If he does not, he should. The hon. Gentleman asked about a linkage between the agricultural price settlement and discussions relating to the budget. The mandate negotiations cover the three chapters of the mandate—the development...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: They are linked in that way. [HON. MEMBERS: "Ah".] The hon. Member for Walton asked whether the tin agreement would be useful to third countries. I believe that it will, and so do they, as they have been urging us to sign the agreement, which we shall now do. The hon. Gentleman also asked about the European Foundation. I remind him that the decision in principle to set up the foundation was...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: The objectives of the foundation are to seek practical ways to improve mutual understanding among the peoples of the Community. I am sure that the improvement of mutual understanding between people anywhere is an objective to which the hon. Member for Walton would subscribe.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: Yes, Sir, but the Community as a body is more powerful than this country alone. I believe that the right course of action is that which we have urged upon the Community—to take action under article XXIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade with a view to persuading Japan to liberalise her import policy and also her economic policy.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman's support on the last two matters. With regard to Japan, I believe that the Community's current move to use article XXIII of the GATT procedure is the most useful course of action that we can adopt. There is no set timetable for the procedure, but we intend to proceed as quickly as we can.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will seek an opportunity later today—whether he will get it is not a matter for me—to express his views on agricultural policy.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: No, Sir, I cannot do precisely that, as there are certain areas in which a transitional derogation of Community rules for Spain would not be of advantage to this country. These are matters for detailed negotiation and discussion in a wide range of areas. We had such a discussion on six areas on Monday this week, and there are more to be covered. We all wish to make progress on this issue, but...
Mr Humphrey Atkins: The Council did not have that proposition before it at its last meeting. I do not yet have the agenda for the next meeting, but I take note of the hon. Gentleman's point.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: Yes, it has. That is why I am glad to tell the House that we are taking the action that I have described. It is necessary that we exert the maximum pressure on Japan to liberalise its trading policy, which is what we all want.
Mr Humphrey Atkins: As yet that is not determined, so I cannot give an answer, but the right hon. Gentleman will note that our contribution last year was £56 million.
