HC Deb 26 May 1960 vol 624 cc677-9
42. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the President of the Board of Trade on 21st May regarding negotiations between the Outer Seven and the Common Market countries, and the possibility of a customs union, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade did not make a speech on 21st May. He was asked by a reporter at London Airport whether he would comment on the suggestion that the countries of the European Free Trade Association should join a Customs Union. He replied, Yes, indeed. We are perfectly willing to negotiate, but what the final outcome will be we cannot say". The first part of this answer meant only that he was prepared to comment. There was nothing in what he said which was contrary to the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Wyatt

After that meaningless mumbo-jumbo of qualified qualification—[HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw"]—will the Prime Minister—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We must hear what the question is.

Hon. Members

Why?

Mr. Wyatt

Perhaps I may begin again. After that meaningless mumbo-jumbo of qualified qualification, will the Prime Minister say whether it is his intention that Britain should join in a Customs Union with the Common Market and what he is doing about it?

The Prime Minister

I do not understand this language, which may be more suitable for Hampstead than for the House of Commons. We joined in association with six other countries in what is known as E.F.T.A. We hope to negotiate with the Six, and the Lisbon meeting was preparatory to that. The communiqué issued after the meeting said that the Governments of the member countries with whom we are close associates—all of them—will approach the negotiations with the Trade Committee in Paris in a constructive spirit and that they believe that, with willingness to compromise on both sides, these negotiations should make it possible to settle the problems created by the existence of the two bodies. It is in that spirit that the next meeting will be held in June.

Mr. Gaitskell

Whether or not it is mumbo-jumbo, does the Prime Minister appreciate that it is very difficult for any of us to follow exactly what is happening in these negotiations? May I ask him this straight question: is it still the Government's policy that this country should not enter the Common Market?

The Prime Minister

It is the Government's policy, having signed and agreed an association with six other countries, to act in conjunction with them, and only with them.

Mr. Gaitskell

I am sure that we are glad to have that assurance, but the Prime Minister has not answered my question. Supposing the Seven decided in their consultations that they wanted to go into the Common Market, what would the attitude of the Government be?

The Prime Minister

Supposing the Seven decided, that, of course, would include Great Britain.

Mr. Grimond

What specific proposals is this country making to the Seven? For instance, are we proposing to the Seven that they should join the Common Market or not?

The Prime Minister

No. We are working out our approach with them. We have the very encouraging fact that the Six have now said that they would like to negotiate. We hope that they will soon be making specific proposals upon which negotiations between the two bodies could be made. I can imagine nothing worse than for us to give the impression that, having signed this agreement with our six friends, we were going to run out and try to make an agreement of our own.

Mr. Gaitskell

It is precisely because that impression has been created by various newspaper reports that I asked the question.

The Prime Minister

I can only describe that "impression" as mumbo-jumbo, if I am allowed to do so.

Mr. S. Silverman

On a point of order. For the guidance and information of the House, Mr. Speaker, would you explain how all this last series of supplementary questions and supplementary answers arose out of the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) about the speech which the President of the Board of Trade did not make?

Mr. Speaker

It seemed to be a declaration of policy which was not a declaration, and we were investigating matters in relation to the policy which was not declared.