HC Deb 19 December 1966 vol 738 c981
17. Mr. St. John-Stevas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take steps to explore the possibilities of establishing a Free Trade Area between the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada and other European Free Trade Association and Commonwealth countries.

Mr. George Brown

No, Sir. The Government's policy is to work for entry into the European Economic Community provided essential British and Commonwealth interests can be safeguarded.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

As the Foreign Secretary knows, I wish him every success in that venture, but would it not be as well to have some alternative ready in case the negotiations, unhappily, fail, and would not his hand be strengthened in the negotiations by the existence of this alternative?

Mr. Brown

As I said when I spoke in the debate on 16th November, there are other ways in which we could organise the future of Great Britain. I do not believe that any of them would be as good as this, but the hon. Gentleman may assume that we have taken account of them.

Mr. A. Royle

Was the right hon. Gentleman encouraged by his talks with General de Gaulle recently in view of the British application to start talks for joining the European Economic Community?

Mr. Brown

That is another question.

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