§ 21. Mr. Turtonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on his talks with Mr. George Ball, the United States Under-Secretary of State, on 4th April on the subject of Great Britain's negotiations for entry into the Common Market.
§ 22. Mr. Warbeyasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on his discussions with Mr. George Ball regarding the conditions of British entry into the Common Market.
§ Mr. HeathI was glad to be able to take advantage of Mr. Ball's recent visit to London by inviting him to exchange views with me on a variety of subjects, including those concerned with international economic relations. Our discussions were confidential.
§ Mr. TurtonArising out of that reply, is my right hon. Friend aware that there has been considerable apprehension about these conversations? Will he give an assurance that the Government will not allow the relationship between Britain and the Commonwealth to be altered at the dictate of the United States Government?
§ Mr. HeathThere is absolutely no need for apprehension about these conversations. It is absolutely right that we 497 should each have a full opportunity of expressing quite frankly to each other our Governments' views. Of course, there can be absolutely no question of Commonwealth affairs being affected by a dictate of the United States Government, nor is there any question of the United States Government attempting to carry out such a thing.
§ Mr. WarbeyHave not the United States Government made it clear through Mr. George Ball that British entry into the Common Market will involve, after a transitional period, the disappearance of the Commonwealth system of preferences? Does the Lord Privy Seal accept that this is the case?
§ Mr. HeathNo, Sir. Those are not the views that have been expressed to us, and the last part of the question therefore does not arise.