HC Deb 30 May 1961 vol 641 cc25-6
37. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a further statement about possible British participation in the European Common Market.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

I have nothing to add to what I told the House in reply to Questions on 16th of May and to what my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal said in the foreign affairs debate on 17th and 18th of May.

Mr. Wyatt

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is growing support in the country for the skilful and adroit way in which he is carefully edging his party to the acceptance of Britain joining the Common Market, and will he assure the House that he will not be discouraged either by the misleading propaganda of Lord Beaverbook or by the obscurantism of those people in his own party who have not yet discovered which century they are living in?

The Prime Minister

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman was fortunate enough to be called in the debate—I forget—but at any rate we had two days of very full debate on this, and I would have thought that the attitude, the atmosphere, in the House as a whole, apart from party divisions, was that there was no question of edging this party or that party to this or that decision but of trying after grave consideration to reach a decision on one of the most important questions which this country has had to settle.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many of us on this side of the House—I, at any rate, can speak for myself—who are not willing to enter into a Common Market or accept the principle of an economic much less a political integration in Europe without a great deal of further consideration?

The Prime Minister

What the right hon. Gentleman has said has shown the wisdom of the Government's approach.

Mr. Blyton

Is the Prime Minister aware that some of us ordinary Members believe that our economy should be determined by the elected Government and not by a supranational authority in Europe in which the British Government could not object? Is he further aware that the Treaty of Rome would commit us to a federal parliament for Europe which would mean a serious effect on our Commonwealth relations? Is he further aware that the actions of the British Government should be subject to the British electorate and not to an ad hoc authority in Europe?

The Prime Minister

All the points the hon. Member has made are relevant, and, of course, they have been considerably discussed at considerable length in the course of the two days' debate and, no doubt, will be discussed again. I do not think they are very easy to deal with in question and answer.