HC Deb 22 March 1962 vol 656 cc558-61
Q2. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Prime Minister, in view of public concern in this country about the effect on Commonwealth relations of Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, if he will hold early talks with Dr. Adenauer and other European leaders with a view to eliminating misunderstanding on this matter.

The Prime Minister

I am always glad of an opportunity to exchange views with Dr. Adenauer and other European leaders, but as I had an opportunity of discussing the Brussels negotiations with Dr. Adenauer as recently as last January, I am not expecting a further meeting at this stage.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Does the Prime Minister agree that a new situation has been created by the insolent interview given by Dr. Adenauer to the Paris newspaper Le Monde? Is the Prime Minister aware that millions of our fellow countrymen feel humiliated and insulted at the B.B.C.'s T.V. news on Friday, 9th March, which contained a report of Dr. Adenauer's interview, and will the Prime Minister ask Dr. Adenauer to make a complete withdrawal of this interview which he gave to Le Monde?

The Prime Minister

I read the original version of the interview given in Le Monde, and I have since read the verbatim account issued by Dr. Adenauer. I am bound to say that I do not think he intended anything of the nature or kind to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and the version which was issued as the official version does not seem to me to call for that kind of reply.

Mr. Turton

Arising out of that reply, is the Prime Minister aware that in the many varied versions of the statement of the German Chancellor there is one constant statement, that if we enter the Rome Treaty either the Commonwealth or the Rome Treaty would have to undergo substantial structural changes? Will he once more make it clear to the leaders of the Six that the British Government will discontinue negotiations if it means a weakening of our relations with the Commonwealth?

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

The Prime Minister

What I read, and the version which I read and which has been issued officially, was that Dr. Adenauer said that if all the members of the Commonwealth became members of the Community the latter's structure would need to be radically transformed. But there really is no suggestion that all the members of the Commonwealth will become members of the Community, and therefore I think that this is an observation which is perfectly correct.

Mr. Healey

In view of the very wide currency given by a most responsible French newspaper to Dr. Adenauer's original remarks before they were amended by the Foreign Office in Bonn, will the Prime Minister at least assure the House and the Commonwealth that the views expressed or held to have been expressed in Le Monde by Dr. Adenauer would make it impossible for this country to conclude these negotiations?

The Prime Minister

Of course, it would be so, and that is, I take it, clear from the amended version. I am responsible for quite a lot of things, but not for Le Monde newspaper.

Mr. Shinwell

Was not the implication of Dr. Adenauer's statement, whether in the original or the revised version, contempt for the British Commonwealth, and as we in this House are very much interested in the Commonwealth, would it not be wise for the Prime Minister to take advice from us instead of from Dr. Adenauer?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that it implied contempt at all. What has been argued—I have heard it argued by many European statesmen—that if the concept was a combination of the European Community and the Commonwealth, they should all become members—that was an impossible conception. That is quite different from so forming the European Community with us in it as to protect the interests of the Commonwealth.

Mr. M. Foot

Why is the Prime Minister personally meddling with this Common Market affair when this is one of the very matters that the Home Secretary is taking in his stride?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member knows that the functions of the Cabinet are collective responsibility, but for convenience committees are formed with different Ministers presiding over them. The ordinary working arrangements at this stage are presided over by the Home Secretary.

Mr. Deedes

In view of the confusion which the versions of the statement have caused, can my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of putting on record, at least in the Library of the House, the version of the Chancellor's speech to which he has just referred?

The Prime Minister

I will consider that.

Mr. Gaitskell

Further to that question, will the Prime Minister make available the German text from which, apparently, both the Le Monde version and the version from Bonn are supposed to be translations?

The Prime Minister

I will see whether that is possible.