26. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a White Paper on the recent negotiations in Paris on proposals for a European Free Trade Area, including the text of all set speeches made by United Kingdom Ministers during those negotiations.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftNo, Sir. I know the right hon. Gentleman's desire to press forward with these negotiations, but I do not think that the publication of a White Paper would assist at this stage.
Mr. WilsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am not concerned in these negotiations, except from the Opposition benches? On behalf of the Opposition benches, and I am sure on hon. Members on both sides of the House, may I say that we should like to know a little more of what the Government are doing, in our name? In these circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman recognise that copies of speeches made by Her Majesty's Ministers in Paris were made available to the Press each night during the Paris negotiations and will the Government stop this practice under which a great deal more is given to the Press informally than is given to the House of Commons?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIf too much information is being given away, I would try to help the right hon. Gentleman on that but I do not see how a White Paper would help before negotiations have actually started.
Mr. WilsonBut since we understand from the Press that the Government have made important pronouncements in the preliminary round at Paris, and since the Paris negotiations were themselves postponed from the spring to meet various requirements, which we understand, is it not about time that the House of Commons, which has not debated this subject since 26th November last year, should be brought into the picture? On behalf of those who really want to help these negotiations forward if they are reasonable, may I ask the Chancellor to realise that he will have more success by taking the House of Commons into his confidence than by withholding information from it?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIf the right hon. Gentleman wants to take any of the ordinary opportunities for debate, there is nothing to prevent him doing so. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."]
§ 40. Mr. Russellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that any agreement on the establishment of a free trade area in Europe will allow relief to be given to hard-hit industries at least to the extent allowed by the Treaty of Rome.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI will take note of what the hon. Gentleman suggests and keep in touch with industry upon these matters.