§ Q1. Sir T. Mooreasked the Prime Minister if he has yet reached a decision as to the advisability of convening a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference to discuss the proposed entry of Great Britain into the Common Market.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)There is nothing as yet that I can add to what I said on 14th December in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Mahon (Mr. Turton).
§ Sir T. MooreIn view of the fact that the last Prime Ministers' Conference succeeded only in driving our friends in South Africa out of the Commonwealth, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will be cautious and think twice 222 before convening another conference, at least as at present composed?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another question. As far as the Common Market is concerned, I stand by what I said on 14th December.
§ Mr. GaitskellCould not the right hon. Gentleman at least say that it is his intention to convene a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference before any final decision is taken on this matter? Is it not obviously desirable that any proposals which Her Majesty's Government may wish to put on this matter should carry the consent of the Commonwealth with them; and is not the best way of trying to achieve that to summon a conference of this kind?
§ The Prime MinisterWhat I said, and I repeat, is that if we thought it desirable to have a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers at the right moment when negotiations had reached a certain stage I should be the first to welcome it.
§ Mr. GaitskellI am asking the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks it desirable. Could he tell us?
§ The Prime MinisterIf it was the general wish. As the right hon. Gentleman knows quite well, I am only by courtesy, if the conference takes place in London, the chairman of it, but, if it is the general wish, of course we would like to have it. I stand by that.
§ Mr. GaitskellMay I have this matter cleared up? Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he would take the initiative himself in ascertaining whether it is the general wish of the Commonwealth?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, at the appropriate moment.
§ Q4. Mr. Dribergasked the Prime Minister if the speech about agriculture and the Common Market, delivered at Dunmow on 22nd January by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. DribergIn that case, since the Home Secretary was so much more candid with his constituents than 223 Ministers in general are with the House—for instance, than the Chancellor of the Exchequer was in his evasive answers just now—may I ask the Prime Minister whether he would be good enough to circulate in HANSARD or to place in the Library the text of that speech, with its very strong warning about the increases in the cost of living that would inevitably follow entry into the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterI will find out from my right hon. Friend whether he has a text of the speech. If so, I will ask him whether he will send it to the hon. Member.