HC Deb 05 July 1960 vol 626 cc220-1
34. Mr. Donnelly

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made towards the entry of Great Britain into the European Common Market.

Mr. Erroll

The subject of the longterm relations between countries of the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community remains on the Agenda of the Trade Committee in Paris, but no progress can be made until there is a general desire for a negotiation.

Mr. Donnelly

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the implication of what the Prime Minister said to the House a few days ago was that the British Government have no intention of entering the European market? If that situation continues, could the right hon. Gentleman say what advice he would tender to British industry which at the moment exports to countries of the Common Market? Should industrialists continue to put their investment into factories in this country or should they consider additional investment on the Continent of Europe?

Mr. Erroll

Advice to British industry is a question quite other than that on the Order Paper.

Mr. Lindsay

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us feel that our exclusion from the Common Market is infinitely more serious than is generally realised and that, therefore, every possible effort must be continuously made to try to get our participation?

Mr. Erroll

We are, of course, continuing to make those efforts, but I repeat what I said in my main Answer, that there must be a general desire for negotiation.

Mr. Chetwynd

Is it not clear that France and Germany have now strong objections to our entering the Common Market? What plans has the right hon. Gentleman for meeting that situation?

Mr. Erroll

I am not aware of those strong objections.

Mr. Osborne

Is the desire to negotiate completely lacking from the other side, and are there any obstacles on our side?

Mr. Erroll

I was referring to the Trade Committee which met recently and at which we hoped there would be some discussion of a long-term solution. Members of the Six who were present said they preferred to discuss short-term matters.

Mr. Grimond

What proposals are the Government putting forward?

Mr. Erroll

We have suggested that at the Trade Committee we should discuss the measures necessary to achieve a long-term solution.

Mr. Gaitskell

Does the right hon. Gentleman's earlier reply mean that it is Her Majesty's Government's view that there is no desire to negotiate on the other side? If that is the case, what do Her Majesty's Government propose to do?

Mr. Erroll

I was saying that at the meeting of the Trade Committee there did not appear a desire to negotiate on long-term matters but a preference, on the other hand, to discuss short-term palliatives. The Committee will meet again and we shall see what takes place there.