§ Q4. Mr. Ridleyasked the Prime Minister if the public speech of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs about the Common Market on 27th November at a meeting in London of Socialist Commentary represents Government policy.
§ The Prime MinisterI answered this Question on Tuesday, Sir.
§ Mr. RidleyWill the right hon. Gentleman accept that he did not answer very favourably? Is he aware that we welcome this fundamental change of policy whereby the Government accept that he E.E.C. is a better form for European unity to take than E.F.T.A.? Is he further aware that there is a fundamental conflict between this new policy and his so-called five conditions?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I think that the position was fully explained by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. If the hon. Gentleman welcomes the fact that, as is well known, I quoted the only reference to this subject in the Tory manifesto of October, 1964, then whether that is a change of policy on our part or on his I do not know.