§ Q5. Mr. Jenningsasked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to enable a referendum of the electorate to be held on the question of the proposed entry of Great Britain into the Common Market, such referendum to take place after the terms of entry have been announced, and before Parliament finally decides whether or not to enter.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I said in the House on 31st July, when any negotiations are brought to a conclusion then it will be the duty of the Government to recommend to the House what course we should pursue. I cannot go beyond that.
§ Mr. JenningsIf it was deemed expedient to hold a referendum on Sunday drinking in Wales, why is it not reasonable policy to hold such a referendum in Great Britain on the question of our proposed entry into the Common Market, as such entry means tremendous 892 and far-reaching problems on economic, political and constitutional grounds?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that the analogy of local option is a good one. That has been a long institution in our affairs. Whatever else we do about the European Economic Community, I do not think that we can have a local option about it. I should have thought that the best thing is to see whether and in what form the negotiations come to an end and then decide what it is best to do.
§ Mr. JenningsWill my right hon. Friend tell me how local is local?
§ The Prime MinisterI certainly know my own "local".