An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ that this week ask the question has the region benefited enough from Britain's membership of the European Economic Community (EEC)? Reporter Kevin Rowntree visits Brussels and poses the question to all five regional Members of the European Parliament (MEP). Another question posed is will the upcoming general election affect people opinion on remaining in or coming out of Europe. Title: Tyne Tees Briefing In...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme ‘Briefing’ that this week ask the question has the region benefited enough from Britain's membership of the European Economic Community (EEC)? Reporter Kevin Rowntree visits Brussels and poses the question to all five regional Members of the European Parliament (MEP). Another question posed is will the upcoming general election affect people opinion on remaining in or coming out of Europe. Title: Tyne Tees Briefing In the Tyne Tees Television studio in Newcastle presenter Ian Breach introduces this edition of ‘Briefing’ and a special report on the common market that features all five of the regions’ Members of the European Parliament (MEP) and the question of whether Britian should remain a member of the Common Market and how the upcoming general election will affect people’s opinion. Archive of then Prime Minister Edward Heath signing the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) in January 1972. Sitting beside him is the man who helped negotiated the conditions of joining, Hexham MP Geoffrey Rippon. The film changes the Berlaymont building and surrounding area in Brussels with reporter Kevin Rountree in voiceover providing details of the function and power of the European Commission. Inside the European Parliament MEP’s take a vote and holding discussions with European Commissioners. Brian Gardner an EEC Consultant explains that regions of Britain are not getting their full benefits because they don’t know enough about ways of getting benefits out of the Common Market, he provides further details. Back outside the Berlaymont European flags flying from flagpoles ending on the Union Jack. Inside his penthouse at the top of the Berlaymont Ivor Richard European Commissioner for Employment thinks that while the Northeast has done well from Europe, we could have done better. Heavy traffic moves along a busy Brussels boulevard, in the distance the domed Palace of Justice building. Outside a large concrete and glass building a policeman direct traffic as it speeds past. Joyce Quin Labour MEP for South Tyne and Wear and Sir Peter Vanneck Conservative MEP for Cleveland are asked how well the special interests of the Northeast are being dealt with. Both believe the region is receiving reasonable share of grants and loans, more than any other region other than Italy. Brian Gardner walks along a street in Brussel, crosses a road and enters a building. He believes the region could get more money if we know the way around the system better. Sitting in a council chamber Roland Boyes Labour MEP for Durham disagrees with Brian’s and believes local MEP’s don’t have the influence to change the minds of commissioners and is disappointed that some either don’t understand the regions needs or simply don’t care. Sitting at his desk Dr Gordon Adams Labour MEP for Northumbria again believes the Northeast has done reasonably well out of regional funding but less well out of the social fund. He provides details on how they could do better and believes the Council of Ministers are bad at making their minds up. An aerial of the Berlaymont changes to Brian Gardner explaining why Britain doesn’t pay more attention to Europe. Sir Peter Vanneck talks about how organisations such as the North East County Council Association (NECCA) is working increasing awareness within Europe of the region and explains the importance of being properly prepared when applying for funding. Joyce Quin wants to see improvements in the way the system works as well as see the image of the Northeast be improved in Brussels. She also believes the national government could do more to get help to the Northeast and thinks regional MEP’s need to work to put forward the interests of their own constituents and make sure those in Brussels know about the needs of the region. Neil Balfour Conservative MEP for Yorkshire North believes European Commission should have its own regional policy, he explains why. Roland Boyes would like to see a change of policy to help protect existing industries rather than reacting to closures such as the Consett steelworks. The Brussels skyline with the modernist building Atomium in the distance changes to Sir Michael Butler K.C.M.G. UK Ambassador explaining why he is pleased with the way the current situation works and how Britain is getting its way. Traffic moves past Berlaymont and the flags currently don’t fly from the poles outside. In his office Ivor Richard explains that in 1982 the United Kingdom had 30% of all social funds that was available and provides details on how some of the money is spend in the Northeast especially with regards employment and jobs. Back inside the European Parliament building MEP’s continues to discuss issues and take votes. Returning to Ivor Richard he doesn’t know anyone either in Brussels or the United Kingdom who believes Britain will leave the European Community, he provides further details. While neither Michael Butler and Joyce Quin see the possibility of Britain coming out of Europe, Roland Boyes does believe it could be done as he thinks the EEC has been a disaster for Britain and not much better for Europe especially with regards unemployment. Dr Gordon Adams doubts that Britain could leave Europe amicably and that we would need to work as closely with Europe outside the EEC as within it. Neil Balfour believes a referendum would be needed and believes if you give the general public six months to look at the real issues then they would be able to come to an informed decision. Sir Peter Vanneck comments that he believes that if Britian did leave the EEC then unemployment would go up. A Save Our Shipyards Campaign coach arrives in Brussels and the delegation get off and meets up with several local MEP’s. One of the delegates speaks with media about their visit and about the campaign to save the shipyards on the Tyne and Wear. At another building in Brussels a group of regional trade unionists come out of building following a meeting. Joe Mills of the Transport and General Workers Union speaks with the waiting media about the what was discussed with regards the problems of unemployment and other problems in the Northeast. Tom Burlson from the General and Municipal Workers Executive walks past, also in Brussels form meetings with European officials. The film ends on traffic along with an electric tram moves along a busy Brussels street returning to the Tyne Tees studio where Ian Breach links the upcoming general election to decision to stay or leave the Common Market, a subject to be discussed after the commercial break. Title: End of Part One Part Two Ian Breach leads a discussion on the European question with Labour MP Dr Mark Hughes who want Britain to leave the Common Market, Conservative MP the Rt. Hon. Geoffrey Rippon who was part of the team that helped Britain become a member and wants us to remain and Liberal-SDP Alliance representative John Shipley. The discussion ends and Ian Breach provides details of next weeks edition that will look at the election announcement and up to date details on all of the candidates and their campaigns. Credit: Presented by Ian Breach Reporter Kevin Rountree Film Camera Fred Crone Film Sound Ed Gray Film Editor John Louvre Research Lynne Petrie Political Editor John Sleight Director Bernard Preston Producer Bob Farnworth End title: Tyne Tees Colour. © Tyne Tees Television Ltd. MCMLXXXIII