§ Q2. Mr. Tilneyasked the Prime Minister whether, in order to overcome the difficulties for New Zealand should Great Britain sign the Treaty of Rome, he will propose a federation of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of New Zealand.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no reason to think that the hon. Member's suggestion would be acceptable to the Government and people of New Zealand.
§ Mr. TilneyWould the Prime Minister agree that New Zealand is closer to this country in terms of transport than Scotland was to London at the time of the Act of Union, that the economy of New Zealand has been closely geared to that of Great Britain for decades, that New Zealand has served this country magnificently in the past in many fields and that the more that the economy of New Zealand is brought together with that of Europe, the better it will be for all?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not done the calculations, but the point about transport is certainly true, and it is probably true of nearly every country in the world. As to the other parts of the supplementary question, the whole House agreed in the recent debate on the Common Market that it is our duty to see that New Zealand's problems are solved in any application. I indicated a large number of possible solutions, but I do not think it right for us to say at this stage which is the right one. My right hon. Friend has been discussing this and I have discussed it with the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. This particular proposal did not come up. I think we have all agreed that we should leave it to see what is the best way of meeting the legitimate requirements of New Zealand.
§ Lord BalnielThe Prime Minister keeps referring, quite rightly, to New Zealand posing a special problem. Is it his objective to maintain the existing volume of trade in butter, cheese and lamb? Is that the objective in the negotiations?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think I should add to what I said in a long, perhaps over-lengthy, speech in the debate on the Common Market. We have had these discussions with New Zealand recently. I think these matters are best left, as I think New Zealand would prefer them to be left, to the negotiations.
§ 05. Mr. Winnickasked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in starting negotiations to join the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that the European Economic Community Council of Ministers is meeting on 26th June to discuss our application for membership of the European Communities. Her Majesty's Government trusts that this will result in a substantive reply to our application.
§ Mr. WinnickDoes my right hon. Friend think the negotiations are actually likely to start in the near future? Can he give the House details about the length of such negotiations? If it looks as if the negotiations are going to be played around with, will he consider withdrawing the application?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, I do not think that would be the most helpful way of dealing with the situation, but I am certainly not in a position, even after the last 48 hours, to give a specific and clear reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question. What I have been able to do in the last 48 hours is to stress the great urgency we feel about this matter, not only for the sake of Britain but of France and Europe.
§ Mr. DoughtyIn view of the apparent difficulties of obtaining admission to the European Economic Community—which most of us want—will the Prime Minister take care to see that E.F.T.A. is not destroyed and we are left with neither the E.E.C. nor E.F.T.A.?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is a point we have made on a number of occasions about our position in relation to E.F.T.A. There are alternatives which are possible, or could be possible, but the Government feel that this is by far the best solution for us and the rest of Europe, and indeed for the world.