HC Deb 23 June 1960 vol 625 cc653-5
9. Mr. Thorneycroft

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the stage which negotiations with the Common Market have now reached.

Mr. Amory

Discussions between the Common Market countries, other members of the O.E.E.C., the United States and Canada, took place in the Committee on Trade Problems in Paris on 9th-10th June. The Committee set up a study group to examine the way in which reciprocal tariff concessions could be achieved and to seek solutions to immediate trade difficulties in particular products. The Committee also decided that it would discuss the long-term aspects of the trade relations between the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Association.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the farsighted broadcast by President de Gaulle to the French people on 1st June? Will my right hon. Friend take the statement of political, economic and social aims stated there for the European Economic Community as the basis for discussions between us, the French and their colleagues in the Common Market?

Mr. Amory

I have read President de Gaulle's statement with very great interest. I am quite sure that the United Kingdom and our partners in the Europan Free Trade Association will be very glad to enter into negotiations with the members of the European Economic Community on the basis of that statement.

Mr. H. Wilson

Does not the Chancellor agree that, although we want to seize any initiative which is proffered in this very difficult matter, there is something of a gap between what the right hon. Gentleman called the far-sighted announcement of President de Gaulle and the rather less than far-sighted approach of some of his negotiators? Is not this one of the main difficulties which the Chancellor and the President of the Board of Trade are having to face?

Secondly, will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he will encourage the Leader of the House to provide time for us to have a real debate on this question before long? We know that it is a difficult problem. We know that the Government have no policy to put forward in this matter—for reasons not entirely within their own control—but this is a matter upon which, with wisdom, the views of the House as a whole might be sought at this very critical state in the history of these matters.

Mr. Amory

I agree with the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, namely, that a solution depends upon the good will of all concerned and a willingness to compromise on both sides. With that willingness to compromise we in the European Free Trade Association—as we made clear after the Lisbon meeting—have no doubts that solutions can be found.

As for the question of a debate, I am sure that if time can be found we shall welcome a debate on this important subject. I certainly could not agree with the right hon. Gentleman in that part of his supplementary question which implied that the Government have no policy in this matter. We have a very clear and definite policy, which we have explained to the House on many occasions.