HC Deb 02 July 1957 vol 572 cc859-60
3. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals were made during his recent talks in London with M. Faure for a definition of the attitude of the United Kingdom Government towards the problem of associating Ghana and Nigeria with the European Common Market.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

These talks covered a wide range of topics and were exploratory in character. It would not be right for me to add to what has already been said by my right hon. Friend the Economic Secretary in answer to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) on 23rd May. Our special responsibility for Nigeria and other Colonies does not, of course, extend to Ghana, a fully independent member of the Commonwealth.

Mr. Irving

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, may I ask him to bear in mind the very serious difficulties that would arise for both these countries competing against the overseas territories of other countries who are members of the European Common Market if they were allowed to bring in their goods Customs Duty free?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I have these matters very well in mind, and I think it is right that I should hold these discussions in various quarters in order to clarify them.