§ 27. Mr. Holtasked the Lord Privy Seal in view of the fact that on 30th November, in Paris, the Western European Assembly passed a resolution, supported by the United Kingdom delegates, that Great Britain should join the Common Market, Euratom, and the European Coal and Steel Community, to what extent this now represents Her Majesty's Government's policy; and what steps he is taking to implement it.
§ Mr. HeathThe recommendations of the Western European Union Assembly are not proposed by Governments and are not binding on them, but we regard this particular recommendation as a welcome gesture of European solidarity.
§ Mr. HoltCan the right hon. Gentleman clear up one point? Are the Government still giving their time to trying to find ways and means by which Britain may associate with the Six, or 877 are they now on a different policy of trying to solve some of the problems which would arise by Britain's applying for membership?
§ Mr. HealeyIn view of the fact that the Six are due to take a large number of steps on 1st January next, which will considerably complicate this problem, will the Lord Privy Seal ask the Prime Minister to make a detailed statement on the present state of negotiations when he addresses the House tomorrow in answer to a Question which I have placed on the Order Paper?
§ Mr. HeathMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister answered a Question on this subject last week. There are no negotiations going on of any kind at the moment between the Six and the Seven. There are confidential exploratory talks in order to see whether a reasonable basis for negotiation can be found. The changes on 1st January will not make the problem any more complicated, though they may make it more difficult to solve.