§ Q6. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Prime Minister if the public speech of the First Secretary of State about entry into the Common Market read at the meeting of West German journalists held in London on 25th April represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mrs. ShortIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is growing concern in and out of the House at the speeches that are being made by Ministers implying that Britain's decision is made and that our entry is decided upon? Is he further aware that we stand by the Gaitskell conditions—[HON. MEMBERS: Oh."]—and that we still think that these are relevant? If my right hon. Friend feels that they are not relevant, will he tell the House which he is prepared to throw overboard?
§ The Prime MinisterI have said many times, as recently as last week, that, of course, the five conditions are still operative but that there have been certain changes in Europe itself, not least in relation to E.F.T.A., which make some of them no longer such impediments as they seemed to be three and a half years ago. My right hon. Friend said in his speech:
The fact of the matter is that no Government in its senses could contemplate an agreement having fundamental implications for the country's future economic and commercial prospects without first seeing that the arrangements it made with its partners did not damage vital national interests.
§ Mr. IremongerIs the Prime Minister aware that he will have increasing opposition from his Left-wing to his proposals to enter Europe because—[Interruption.]—fundamentally they are interested only in Eastern Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sorry, but I missed the last few words of that supplementary question. I have no doubt, however, that it was a very relevant supplementary.
§ Mr. HeathDoes the Prime Minister's speech at Bristol on 18th March also represent the Government's policy in this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman can be assured that it does. It was in full accordance with the quotation which I just gave from the speech made by my right hon. Friend. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman, who has also made speeches on this subject, is going to come clean with the House. I hope that it would not be his policy to agree, without negotiation, unconditionally to a situation—[Interruption.]—I said "Yes, Sir" in my answer. The question I am now putting to the right hon. Gentleman is this. I hope that he would not take the view that he would accept unconditionally a situation in which there would be a levy of 65 per cent. or 70 per cent. on every ton of wheat imported into Britain from Canada or Australia. If that is his position, we are opposed to it.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Biggs-Davison.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonSince hon. Members in all parts of the House have been—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I called the hon. Gentleman to ask Question No. 7.