HC Deb 27 February 1967 vol 742 cc90-1
17. Mrs. Anne Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent speech relating to Great Britain's possible entry into the European Common Market by the British Ambassador to France was made with his authority.

Mr. George Brown

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 9th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Roebuck).—[Vol. 740; c. 361.]

Mrs. Kerr

While thanking the Foreign Secretary for that very full and adequate reply, may I ask him to instruct our ambassadors not to make public statements about matters of great seriousness to the people of this country and to Europe in general? Will he please bear in mind the growing public opinion in this country which does not accept the necessity for our entering into the European Economic Community and that housewives, in particular, are concerned about the increased cost of food should we go into the Common Market?

Mr. Brown

Much of that seemed to be a different question, but I make absolutely plain that I expect our ambassadors overseas to do all they can to explain and to further the policies of Her Majesty's Government, and that is what this ambassador was doing.