European Economic Community (Hansard, 13 December 1966)

§ 3. Mr. Winnick
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what consultations are taking place with Commonwealth countries in view of Great Britain's proposal to join the European Economic Community.

§ 10. Mr. Fisher
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to visit the Commonwealth countries mainly concerned about the possibility of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, particularly New Zealand.

§ 17. Mr. Shinwell
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what conversations he has had recently with the Governments of India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on the effect on their trade with the United Kingdom in the event of British entry into the European Economic Community.

§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Herbert Bowden)
As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in his statement on 10th November, we intend to maintain the closest consultation with Commonwealth Governments throughout. I am hoping to visit a number of Commonwealth countries in the ordinary course next year, and I will, naturally, take the opportunity of discussing this and other matters with Ministers in the countries that I visit.

§ Mr. Winnick
Would the Commonwealth Secretary not agree that it is most important that the Commonwealth countries should not be left high and dry, as they were when Common Market negotiations last took place? Could the Commonwealth Secretary tell the House what has been the reaction, particularly of Australia and New Zealand, to our present desire to join the European Economic Community?

§ Mr. Bowden
I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no intention of leaving the Commonwealth countries high and dry. At this probing stage with the E.F.T.A. countries, it is too soon to give any real information to Commonwealth countries. We are well aware of their interest, and we will keep in touch with them throughout.

§ Mr. Fisher
Does the right hon. Gentleman not feel that he should have special discussions with the Commonwealth Governments mainly concerned, particularly New Zealand, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys) did when he was Secretary of State for a comparable period? Should not these talks be a complementary exercise to those which his colleagues are now undertaking with European Governments?

§ Mr. Bowden
This may well be the position a little later on, when the probing talks with the E.F.T.A. countries have taken place. It is a little too soon at this stage. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Commonwealth countries are being kept in touch throughout.

§ Mr. Shinwell
Surely my right hon. Friend will realise that it is quite impossible for his colleagues to engage in conversations with people on the Continent, Foreign Ministers and the like, on the subject of entry into the Common Market without knowing, precisely and explicitly, what the older Commonwealth countries have to say about the effect of Britain's entry into the E.E.C. on their trading relations? Surely this is very important? Does my right hon. Friend understand that some of us think that we have been left in the dark about this matter and that we do not like it?

§ Mr. Bowden
As to the last point, there is very little that can yet be said. I can assure my right hon. Friend that when we can firmly say something to the Commonwealth countries we will certainly do so. At this stage, this is a purely probing exercise. If later on, next year, detailed consultations are necessary, we shall conduct them.

§ Sir R. Cary
Surely at the end of the probing exercise it will be necessary to have direct consultations between the Commonwealth Prime Ministers?

§ Mr. Bowden
Yes, we are very well aware of that.