HC Deb 15 December 1966 vol 738 cc653-6
Q1. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now arranged a timetable for his visit to the capitals of the European Free Trade Association countries and the Common Market countries with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

Yes, Sir. In agreement with the Governments concerned the timetable has now been announced. With permission, I will circulate the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Lewis

On these visits, does the Prime Minister intend to represent the Commonwealth view? What steps is he taking to secure from the Commonwealth its exact attitude to these negotiations on any safeguards that may be required?

The Prime Minister

It will be the duty of my right hon. Friend and myself to represent the general British interest, including Commonwealth interests, in all these talks. As to consultation with the Commonwealth, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the very full answers I gave about this on Tuesday.

Following are the details of the timetable: The full programme for the visits by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and myself is as follows:—
  • 16th–17th January: Rome.
  • 24th–25th January: Paris.
  • 31st January–1st February: Brussels.
  • 2nd February: Luxembourg.
  • 14th–16th February: Bonn.
  • 26th–27th or 28th February: The Hague.
Q2. Mr. Murray

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to visit Paris to hold discussions with the President of France on Franco-British policy differences.

The Prime Minister

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 6th December, he and I will be visiting Paris on 24th and 25th January. The main purpose of our visit will be to discuss with President de Gaulle and French Ministers the problems associated with British entry into the Common Market.

Mr. Murray

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Would he consider making Paris the first stop rather than Rome, because of General de Gaulle's attitude? Further, will he and the Foreign Secretary be discussing the French attitude towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation?

The Prime Minister

I think that on a balance of the considerations the timetable which has been announced is right, both in regard to timing and in regard to the order of the visit. Of course we shall take every opportunity of discussing all matters of common Anglo-French interest. As my hon. Friend will be aware, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been discussing these questions with M. Couve de Murville on his visit to Paris this week.

Mr. Grimond

Does the timetable announced by the Prime Minister include a visit to the Community at Brussels?

The Prime Minister.

It includes a visit to Brussels. I have already said in answer to a supplementary question that I should be very surprised if it does not provide facilities for discussions with members of the Commission.

Q7. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Prime Minister if he will hold discussions with the President of the United States of America about the adjustments to the Anglo-American alliance which would be necessitated by British membership of the Common Market.

The Prime Minister

I have no immediate plans to discuss with the United States Administration the implications of possible British membership of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Has the Prime Minister noticed the dismay which was caused on the Continent by the Foreign Secretary's statement last month that British membership of the Common Market could not affect our relationship with the United States in any way, and, in particular, the statement of one of the members of the Commission that this even cast doubts upon the sincerity of the Government's approach? Does he not agree that the Government must accept that there will be adjustments in this relationship as a result of British membership of the Common Market?

The Prime Minister

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman is really suging that we make fundamental changes in the Anglo-American relationship as part of these talks, I think that he would do better to leave it for the talks we have with Heads of Government in the Community and not think that these matters can be settled by statements on or off the record by individual European statesmen, including members of the Commission. I think that it would answer some of his points if I were to send him a copy of the speech which I made at the English Speaking Union recently on Anglo-American relationships against the European background. I shall be very glad to send him a copy.

Mr. Jennings

Will the Prime Minister consider asking the United States if it would, in its turn, consider applying for membership of the Common Market?

The Prime Minister

There are certain clauses of the Treaty of Rome—I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman could remind me of the numbers—which would make this impossible, because the United States, as the hon. Gentleman will recognise, is not a European country. Whatever might be the position regarding associate membership, I think that the Treaty of Rome would require pretty fundamental amendment to enable that to be possible.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Will not the Prime Minister agree that one of the many good reasons for British membership of the Common Market is to bring the whole of Europe much closer to the United States?

The Prime Minister

I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman means by that, but I agree with what I think he means. If this is approached as a situation in which Europe can be stronger and will be able to negotiate with the United States on a stronger and a friendlier basis, I think that that is right. I very much agree not with all but with one of the points made by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition in the recent debate on the Common Market, when he revived the theory of the two Atlantic pillars. This was the main theme of my speech at the English Speaking Union.