§ Q2. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the start of negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 1st June to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick).—[Vol. 747, c. 251.]
§ Mr. CampbellAre the Government making full use of the present period in preparations, with a view to obtaining all the information which will be needed? In particular, is there yet the extra agricultural staff in our Mission in Brussels which the Select Committee on Agriculture found to have been applied for more than six months ago?
§ The Prime MinisterI think we are in a position to say that we are getting all the information required. I will not comment on the activities of the Select Committee at this time. I think that another time would be more appropriate for that. We are getting all the information required, and of course, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was in a position to discuss this question with a number of Foreign Secretaries of Community countries when he was in Luxembourg this week.
§ Mr. GodberIf the Prime Minister does not wish to comment on what the Select Committee said, will he not admit that in fact the staff has not been augmented in the way recommended by the Select Committee? If his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture is not prepared to do so, will the Prime Minister take steps to see that our staff is adequately augmented so that we know what is going on on the agricultural side?
§ The Prime MinisterI shall be glad to discuss this with my right hon. Friend. I am always deeply touched when I hear right hon. Gentlemen opposite asking for an increase in the Civil Service.