HC Deb 24 November 1966 vol 736 c1578
36. Mr. Marten

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on the Montreal Conference in mid-November, attended by representatives of his Department, on a North Atlantic Free Trade Area.

Mr. William Rodgers

At the invitation of the Private Planning Association of Canada, I attended part of the Conference which was on "Canada and the Atlantic Economic Community" and gave an address on the Government's policy on international trading arrangements and on European economic relations.

Mr. Marten

Can the Minister say whether this North Atlantic Free Trade Area is a starter? What effect would our entry into the Common Market have on any such proposal? Is there to be another meeting?

Mr. Rodgers

The Government's view on the whole question of international trading relations and on our relations with the Common Market and on prospects, if such there are, for a North Atlantic Free Trade Area were made very clear in the debate last week.