HC Deb 06 December 1965 vol 722 cc25-7
48. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what change there has been in Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the European Economic Community since 4th August; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. M. Stewart

Her Majesty's Government's policy remains that we are ready and willing to join the European Economic Community provided that essential British interests are safeguarded.

Mr. Campbell

Did the Foreign Secretary state on 27th November at a meeting in London, as reported in the Observer, that he favoured something resembling more the E.E.C. principle than the E.F.T.A. principle? If so, does this represent a change in the Government's policy?

Mr. Stewart

No. It does not represent any change. If the hon. Member will notice what I have just said, he will see that we are willing to join the European Economic Community provided that essential British interests are safeguarded. He will see that what I said at that meeting followed from that.

Mr. Snow

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the Government's overall policy must lead towards greater European economic cohesion in Europe as a whole? In those circumstances, is there not room for further investigation of the possibility of Eastern European participation so that the European Economic Community will be fully European?

Mr. Stewart

I should like to see a development of that kind, but this Question and the reference to the speech which I made on 27th November were related to relationships with the European Economic Community.

Lord Balniel

Surely the Foreign Secretary recognises that what he says today is rather different from what he is reported as having said on 27th November—that he favoured a European unity on the Common Market rather than the E.F.T.A. model? Surely the Foreign Secretary recognises that it would be to our interest in Europe if he clarified the view of the Government as soon as possible in view of the confusion which has been caused?

Mr. Stewart

I do not think that there is any confusion except, possibly, with the hon. Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel). It is clear that the Government are ready and willing to join E.E.C. provided that essential British interests are safeguarded. The Government have also on several occasions made it known that they would like to see a wider European unity. It follows, I think, from those two things that such a wider European unity would partake more of the nature of E.E.C. than of E.F.T.A. But one of the British interests to be safeguarded is our good reputation with the E.F.T.A. partners, and any approach to E.E.C. would have to be in consultation with them.

Mr. Manuel

Does my right hon. Friend mean by his latest statement that we still abide by the five conditions laid down by Mr. Gaitskell and the Labour Party which have so far been adhered to by the present Administration?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend will remember that I said earlier that these five conditions still remain and to my mind are essential. I think that is true that the actual passage of events makes some of these conditions easier to fulfil now than at the time when they were formulated.

Mr. Soames

Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that it is the intention and the policy of the Government to join with other countries of E.F.T.A. who wish to join the European Community as opposed to building a bridge between the two permanent bridgeheads of E.F.T.A. and E.E.C.?

Mr. Stewart

I never use the phrase "bridge building" myself because I think that these metaphors are misleading. If the right hon. Gentleman had had the good fortune to attend the meeting on 27th November he would have heard me deal with this point. There is nothing inconsistent between readiness to join E.E.C., provided that essential British interests are safeguarded, and the pursuit of practical projects on which we and other countries in Europe can work together. It is that which is commonly described as "bridge building", though I think it is a misleading name. Some of the contacts which we have been able to make with Europe are both useful in themselves and will make the atmosphere more favourable in time for a wider European unity.