HC Deb 13 February 1962 vol 653 cc1116-7
Q1. Mr. Healey

asked the Prime Minister whether he will propose a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' conference in October this year to consider the state of negotiations on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Mal-ton (Mr. Turton), on 14th December, and my answers to supplementary questions by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition on 6th February.

Mr. Healey

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister has been compelled to admit the desirability in principle of holding such a conference and that it would inevitably take several months to organise a conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers, does he not agree that there is a lot to be said for fixing a date now for October, a time when either we shall know the general lines of the conditions on which the Commonwealth will be associated with us in our entry to the Common Market or—as seems increasingly likely—the negotiations for British entry will be bogged down, in which case it will be urgently necessary for us to consider with Commonwealth Prime Ministers alternative methods of international economic association to repair the damage done to the Commonwealth by the Government in the last eighteen months?

The Prime Minister

I will bear in mind what the hon. Member has said.

Sir C. Osborne

Since two years ago we offered to the Canadian Prime Minister a scheme for freer trade between ourselves and the Canadians which the Canadians turned down and refused to co-operate with us, have any of the other Prime Ministers shown willingness to offer credit facilities to bring about greater opportunities for more trade?

The Prime Minister

These are all matters for negotiation, but in regard to the specific Question I think it better to see a little longer how the negotiations are likely to proceed.

Mr. W. Baxter

Is it not time that the Prime Minister gave this House an opportunity to consider an interim report as to negotiations with the Common Market so that an expression of opinion of hon. Members can be made on the proceedings up to the moment?

The Prime Minister

This House voted in favour of opening the negotiations and I think it better to let them proceed.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the Prime Minister, however, say that at the appropriate moment, and in any event before any decision is taken by Her Majesty's Government on this matter, he will take the initiative in proposing a Commonwealth Prime Ministers conference to consider the whole situation?

The Prime Minister

I repeat what I said on 6th February. I will take the initiative at the appropriate moment in ascertaining whether it is the general wish of other Commonwealth Prime Ministers that a meeting should be held, but I do not think that that moment has yet arrived.