§ 31. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the threatened split in Europe, he will now apply for British membership of some of the functional organisations in Western Europe.
§ Mr. ProfumoHer Majesty's Government are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation and the Council of Europe. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the political and the economic reasons which have prevented us from becoming members of the supranational Communities of the Six. Our policy is to establish the closest possible association with them.
§ Mr. GrimondDo I take it that the Minister is in disagreement with his right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who has said it is a pity that we did not join the Coal and Steel Community?
§ Mr. ProfumoI hope that I am not in disagreement with my right hon. and learned Friend. I was answering the Question which the hon. Member put down.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsWhat steps are the Government taking to heal this split in Europe, beyond rather plaintively putting forward a point of view which has been rejected by Europe for the last three years?
§ Mr. ProfumoWe have established formal relations with all three Communities, and have accredited a representative to them.