§ 42. Mr. Bellengerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a further statement as to the proposals to extend the European Common Market to a wider free trade area; and what positive proposals to associate Commonwealth countries with such an area have emerged from the current series of Commonwealth consultations now taking place in London.
§ The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)The objective of Her Majesty's Government remains a multilateral association of the members of the European Economic Community with the other members of O.E.E.C. As announced last week, Her Majesty's Government have now agreed that United Kingdom officials should participate in discussions taking place in Stockholm on the possibility of setting up an association of seven countries which might lead in due course to a wider European association. No positive proposals for the association of Commonwealth countries with a wider European association emerged from the recent consultations among Commonwealth officials in London.
§ Mr. BellengerDoes that comprise the statement which the right hon. Gentleman promised to my right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) before Whitsun to give to the House—a comprehensive statement as to the progress of these various negotiations—or has the right hon. Gentleman anything further to say, and when can he say it?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think that at this stage there is anything more I can usefully add, but if there are any Questions the right hon. Member would like to put down, I shall be happy to try to answer them.
§ Mr. JayIf the O.E.E.C. countries outside the Common Market six continue successfully with their present negotiations for some separate arrangement, are they not very much more likely to be able to negotiate successfully with the Common Market?
§ Mr. MaudlingCertainly that is the hope of Her Majesty's Government.