§ Q4. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Prime Minister whether, in order to strengthen the United Kingdom's negotiations with the European Economic Community to see if satisfactory arrangements can be made to meet the special interests of the United Kingdom, of the Commonwealth and of the European Free Trade Association, he will direct Ministers primarily responsible to study, and make proposals for, the expansion and freeing of trade and payments reciprocally between Commonwealth countries, to the end that Commonwealth, as well as European, economic unity may be achieved to mutual advantage.
§ The Prime MinisterHer Majesty's Government are continually studying ways of expanding trade between Britain and other Commonwealth countries. There are no restrictions on payments for imports from Commonwealth countries into Britain, and most Commonwealth products can be imported free of both Customs duty and of any import restriction. Duties and restrictions imposed in other Commonwealth countries are, of course, matters for the Governments of those countries.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonHaving regard to Under-Secretary Ball's recent comments in this country on the subject of Commonwealth Preference, is the Prime Minister aware that the prospect of E.E.C. membership might be better regarded in many quarters if it were to result in the strengthening rather than 635 the undermining of, or the placing of a time limit upon, the preferential system of the Commonwealth the national economies of which are complementary to those of Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterAll those matters are relevant, and, no doubt, will come up during the course of negotiation.
§ Mr. BrockwayWill the Prime Minister give an assurance that no decision will be made about entering the European Economic Community until the Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth have been able to meet and discuss it?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is hoped that the Commonwealth Conference, if we can fix a date mutually agreeable to everyone, will be as I have described. There is a precise Question on the Paper for next Thursday in the name of the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) for which I should prefer to wait.
§ Mr. GaitskellWith reference to the original Question, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the uncertainties in the situation which causes a good deal of anxiety is what the consequences of our entering the Common Market will be upon the attitude of Commonwealth countries to their trade with us and the consequent danger that they may prefer to intensify their trading with other countries? Will the Prime Minister bear in mind the necessity of informing the House as soon as possible about those dangers and whether he is satisfied, with the discussion he is having with Commonwealth Ministers, that they are not really serious?
§ The Prime MinisterAll these matters are matters of almost daily consultation with both officials and Ministers of the Commonwealth. They will come up for full discussion at whatever date we are able to arrange by general agreement for the Prime Ministers to meet.