§ Q6. Mr. Websterasked the Prime Minister what Minister will be answerable in the House of Commons on negotiation for entry to the Common Market.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the Answers I gave on 6th June to supplementary questions by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition.—[Vol. 747, c. 792–6.]
§ Mr. WebsterDoes the Prime Minister recollect that during the last negotiations we were given an up-to-date commentary on what was going on by the Minister concerned with the negotiations? What steps is the Prime Minister taking to ensure that we get as up-to-date and authoritative statements this time?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have said on a previous occasion, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be responsible 305 for giving the fullest and most up-to-date information available to the House.
§ Mr. MolloyCould my right hon. Friend say, and I hope agree, that the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs also has an important rôle to play and will be answerable in the House to Questions Members may wish to put?
§ The Prime MinisterThe question of which Minister answers a particular Question is surely governed by the framing of particular Questions. Certainly my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, together with other Ministers—for example, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Scotland—will have a very vital rôle to play in the negotiations.