§ 12. Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Technology when it is intended to publish the White Paper on technology in the context of British entry to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. MorrisIs my right hon. Friend aware of reports, including reports to the House, that very detailed proposals have been put to General de Gaulle on this question? Does he not think it wrong that the House should take second place to General de Gaulle in a matter of this kind?
§ Mr. BennI think that my hon. Friend misunderstands the position. One of the most powerful arguments for deciding to apply to enter Europe was that advanced technology depends on the scale on which we operate. This is a matter which is very closely linked to industrial collaboration and the search for markets referred to earlier. These are not matters which ate suitable for publication in a White Paper of the kind published on agricultural policy.
§ Mr. David PriceWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree, in pursuance of his argument on the concept of the minimum critical mass, that there is little hope for a technological community outside a political and economic infrastructure?
§ Mr. BennAlthough it is tempting to follow the hon. Gentleman's question with an interesting answer, I do not think that I will go further than I have gone.