§ 29. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to accelerate the signing of the new Protocol to the United Kingdom-New Zealand Trade Agreement, so that its details can be scrutinised by hon. Members as soon as possible.
§ Mr. JayFull details of the results of the recent trade talks were made available to the House on 12th July.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my Question refers to the Protocol which he promise to publish? Will he hurry up and publish it? Is he aware that we recognise the great importance of the United Kingdom market to New Zealand, but that at the same time it would appear that this rules out the possibility of British membership of the Common Market up to 1972? Would he not agree that this is a serious situation which conflicts with Government policy?
§ Mr. JayThe records of understandings have already been placed in the Library. The Protocol, which is a legal document, takes rather longer to 1704 prepare. We on this side who are in favour of an expanding Commonwealth trade note that apparently that is no longer the policy of hon. Gentlemen opposite.
§ 30. Mr. Ridleyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he sought the views of the Governments of the European Economic Community countries on the New Zealand Trade agreement, in view of the Government's intention to negotiate for membership of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RidleyAlthough we are all in favour of expanding Commonwealth trade, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is Government policy to join the European Economic Community and that he must consult them and get their agreement to the course of action which he is taking? Is he further aware that he is making impossible the fulfilment of the Government's policy to join the Common Market?
§ Mr. JayWe do not have to obtain the permission of countries on the Continent about how we conduct our policy in the Commonwealth.
§ 38. Mr. Worsleyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfield that the provisions of the recent trade agreement with New Zealand are consistent with British membership of the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WorsleyDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that every hon. Member understands that New Zealand will need special trade arrangements when we join the Common Market and that the six nations must accept it? But is he aware that his failure in his statement even to mention the Common Market negotiations throws doubt on the genuineness of the Government's intention to join?
§ Mr. JayNo. Sir. We have repeatedly said in all statements on the Common Market negotiations that we intend to safeguard Commonwealth interests. This agreement shows that we mean to keep that pledge.
§ 39. Mr. Worsleyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he discussed with the New Zealand Minister of Overseas Trade the current soundings being made by Her Majesty's Government with a view to a British application to join the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. JayThis was not on the agenda of the bilateral talks I had with Mr. Marshal.. The subject was discussed at the meeting of Commonwealth Trade Minister; which Mr. Marshall attended.
§ Mr. WorsleyDoes this not prove the point of my previous supplementary question, that the Government cannot be serious about this intention if they carry out negotiations with New Zealand without even discussing how this will be affected by our joining the Common Market?
§ Mr. ShinwellIs my right hon. Friend aware that probably a majority of hon. Members on this side were glad to hear what the hon. Member opposite said and agree with him?