HC Deb 24 January 1967 vol 739 cc1266-7
Q8. Dr. Dunwoody

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his recent exchanges with other European leaders about Great Britain's entry into Europe.

Q9. Mr. Boston

asked the Prime Minister if he will now give further details of the series of high-level talks he is having with European Governments about Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. M. Stewart

I have been asked to reply.

As regards my right hon. Friend's discussions with the Italian Government, I would refer my hon. Friends to the Answers he gave to Questions on 19th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 643–7.]—As regards the further visits he is making, together with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, to other European Heads of Government, I would ask my hon. Friends to await the reports which will be made to the House in due course.

Dr. Dunwoody

While realising that discussions are at a very delicate and sensitive stage at this moment, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he can give an idea as to the date on which we can expect a statement along these lines?

Mr. Stewart

The dates on which the various visits are to be held are known. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary will do the best they can to keep the House informed after the visits.

Mr. Boston

Would my right hon. Friend accept that no doubt all right hon. and hon. Members welcome the cordial reception given to the Prime Minister's speech in Strasbourg yesterday? On a particular passage in that speech, can my right hon. Friend say to what extent these high-level talks are being used as a means of sounding out West European leaders on ways of extending and developing contacts, especially in trade and other ways, with East European countries?

Mr. Stewart

I am sure that the House will agree with what my hon. Friend said about the Prime Minister's Strasbourg speech. Relations between West and East Europe are, of course, one of the topics that comes into this question but I do not think that I should go further than that at present.

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