HC Deb 20 April 1967 vol 745 cc798-9
Q1. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Prime Minister if he will now give further details of his proposals for a European Technological Community.

Q8. Dr. David Owen

asked the Prime Minister what further steps he intends taking to promote his concept of a European Technological Community.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I would refer my hon. Friends to the speech I made to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, a copy of which is in the Library.

Mr. Roberts

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that co-operation on research and development in the European Economic Community is inadequate at the moment and that one of our first tasks, when we enter the Common Market, will be to stimulate it?

The Prime Minister

While no decision has been made yet about applying for entry, certainly what we could contribute to Europe in the technological field is very significant, and this has been very, very well recognised by all Heads of Government with whom my right hon. Friend and I have been consulting.

Dr. Owen

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these proposals have aroused considerable interest, particularly in France? Will he consider publishing the Government's proposals in the form of a Green Paper for discussion so as to stimulate discussion in Europe?

The Prime Minister

I can confirm that these proposals attracted great attention and support in France. As to giving further details, this is a matter which we should want to consider as soon as it is possible to make an announcement to the House about application, one way or the other.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the creation of a European Technological Community would also imply the creation of new supranational institutions independently managed and having control of their own finances? Has he put this proposition to the Heads of European Governments during his recent talks with them?

The Prime Minister

I know that the hon. Gentleman realises that the three communities which now exist are to be merged. As I have said many times in the House, this proposal should be read in terms of a technological component in the new merged and enlarged Community. I do not think that the co-operation required in Europe on technology requires anything significant in the way of a supranational superstructure. What I am strongly convinced of is that the degree of technological co-operation which is possible can flourish only if it is within a single economic trading market.

Mr. Shinwell

What have we to learn from any of the six countries about science and technology? Have we not much to teach them? Have we not taught the world more than the world has taught us about inventions and technology?

The Prime Minister

I agree with my right hon. Friend. Unfortunately, we have not always got the dividends on what we have taught them, and in many cases we are still paying royalties to the Americans for inventions which began in this country. Certainly we have a great deal to contribute to Europe, and, in certain fields of technology, European firms have a great deal from which we can derive benefit. But I stress that this could only function adequately, not on the basis of the exchange of learned papers across the present division of Europe, but within a single trading community.