§ 46. Mr. Osborneasked the Prime Minister if, in the light of decisions reached at the Conference of Prime Ministers, he will give an unqualified assurance to British agriculture that the protection and safeguards it now enjoys will in no wise be whittled away under the European Free Trade proposals; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe view of Her Majesty's Government has throughout been that the provisions of a Free Trade Area in Europe could not extend to agricultural products. This was clearly stated in our proposals to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation which were published as Command Paper No. 72.
§ Mr. OsborneWhile first thanking my right hon. Friend on behalf of the farmers of this country for that assurance, may I ask him whether his assurance will be brought to the attention of those European Ministers who suggested that the European Free Trade Area cannot succeed unless agriculture were included?
§ The Prime MinisterOur position has always been clear from the date of our declaration. Our position on this is, of 944 course, well known to our European friends and I do not think that there has been any variation from it since the very beginning.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs it not the case that the French Foreign Minister recently declared that a Free Trade Area excluding agriculture would be impossible from the point of view of France? Has the Prime Minister or the Government received any official intimation that this is the view of the French Government and can the Prime Minister say what discussions are going on on this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterI have received no intimation as to the official view of the French Government. Negotiations are taking place at the official level and, I hope, will be transferred to the Ministerial level at the appropriate time.
§ 48. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Prime Minister why he does not suggest that the countries of the Commonwealth should join the proposed Free Trade Area in the same way as is proposed for the French overseas territories.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community provides for the association with the Community of the overseas territories of the countries concerned. As regards the proposed Free Trade Area, these questions have been discussed with representatives of Colonial Governments and the general view seems to be in favour of excluding Colonial Territories. Any question of the association of independent Commonwealth countries with the Free Trade Area would, of course, be a matter for them.
§ Mr. MallalieuWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, if we stand outside this movement towards European integration in economic affairs, our industries are bound to suffer, and that, if our industries suffer, agriculture must suffer also, as well as Commonwealth producers who are accustomed to trade with us? Is it not, therefore, incumbent upon the right hon. Gentleman and his Government, in view of the statement by the French Foreign Minister referred to just now by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, to make some suggestion to overcome the difficulty of overseas territories?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I think that the hon. Gentleman is confusing positions which are sometimes taken at the beginning of a negotiation with what one hopes may be the ultimate result.