§ 1. Mr. D. Priceasked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government will propose to their partners in the European Free Trade Association the free movement of labour along the general lines of Article 48 of the Rome Treaty.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)No, Sir. The Stockholm Convention contains no provisions about the movement of labour.
§ Mr. PriceIs my right hon. Friend aware that I am aware of that fact, and that I am asking whether Her Majesty's Government will consider proposing making this addition to the Stockholm Treaty, thus bringing us more in line with our friends in the Rome Treaty? Would not it give great comfort to those young people in Scandinavia who are anxious to come to work here, and who are admitted by the Home Office only if they are prepared to work in domestic service?
§ Mr. HeathI think the fact that there is no provision about this in the Stockholm pact indicates the difference between these arrangements and the arrangements of E.E.C. These arrangements are purely trade arrangements. E.E.C. covers a much wider number of provisions. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I have not had any complaints about the conditions of admission of people from E.F.T.A. countries, but I will certainly look into them if my hon. Friend will bring them to my notice.