§ 42. Mr. Waltersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent official talks with the Austrian Foreign Minister.
§ Mr. M. StewartThe Austrian Foreign Minister accompanied the Austrian Federal President during the State Visit which took place last week. On 19th May I had a meeting with Dr. Toncic-Sorinj. We had a very friendly discussion of a general nature about matters of interest to Her Majesty's Government and the Austrian Government.
§ Mr. WaltersDid the Foreign Secretary get the impression from these conversations that the Austrian Government are seriously attempting to become mambers of the European Economic Community while retaining their membership of E.F.T.A.? This would be an extremely interesting development.
§ Mr. StewartDr. Toncic-Sorinj explained that matter on the lines of what was said by the Austrian delegate at the recent meeting of the E.F.T.A. Ministerial Council, on which my right hon. Friend the First Secretary will be answering a separate Written Question this afternoon.