HC Deb 21 March 1967 vol 743 cc1415-7
1. Mr. Ogden

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to Australia.

30. Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his recent journey to Australia and New Zealand.

31. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about his recent Commonwealth tour.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Herbert Bowden)

During my tour of the Far East and the Pacific, which lasted from 10th February to 8th March, I visited Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The object of the tour was to meet members of the Governments and see something of the countries with which I am concerned.

I was warmly received everywhere and felt this to be a reflection of the strength of the Commonwealth bond. At the same time I was able to take part in useful discussions with Prime Ministers and other Ministers on matters of common concern, and to familiarise myself with the problems of Fiji and Hong Kong which remain our direct responsibility.

Mr. Ogden

Is my right hon. Friend aware that all the reports which we have had in this country about his visit in- dicate that it was a very successful one, and we offer him our congratulations? Has he considered whether it would be possible, on his return from such visits, to make a more detailed report available than is possible by means of Question and Answer, either writing it into HANSARD or placing it in the Library?

Mr. Bowden

I am quite prepared to consider placing in the Library a short report of my visit. I doubt whether time would be available for a report to the House and a debate upon it, but that is not a matter for me.

Mr. Wood

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has signified agreement or disagreement since his return with a remark which he is reported to have made that it would be a matter of years rather than months before we joined the Common Market? Secondly, does the remark which he is reported to have made about the use of force in Rhodesia mean that the Government are considering that possibility if all other means fail?

Mr. Bowden

On the second point, about the use of force in Rhodesia, that is one which has been made in the House on a number of occasions, and certainly it has been made by me once. There are two circumstances in which force might be used. The first is if the Governor requested it to maintain law and order. The second is, after a return to legality, if a second U.D.I. were declared. That was made quite clear in the House.

On the right hon. Gentleman's first point, I made the statement that, in my view, negotiations might take years rather than months. Whether my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agrees is a matter for him.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Questions 30 and 31 are being taken with this, Mr. Fisher.

Mr. Fisher

Mr. Speaker, I apologise if I was a few moments late and did not hear the right hon. Gentleman's original Answer. Can he say whether he took the opportunity to discuss with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong our Common Market soundings? If he did, what was their reaction? In particular, did he reassure the New Zealand Government that special arrangements would be made for them?

Mr. Bowden

I discussed our possible entry into E.E.C. both in New Zealand and Australia. In New Zealand, I made the point, which they accepted, that there would have to be a special arrangement made to meet their point of view. In Australia, too, I assured them that there would be consultations after Her Majesty's Government decided to negotiate, if they so decided.

Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

Did the right hon. Gentleman have any discussions with members of the Australian Government as to their outlook about Her Majesty's Government's contribution or lack of contribution in Vietnam?

Mr. Bowden

Yes, Sir. I touched on defence problems generally, and I am sure that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand understand the point of view of Her Majesty's Government and the attitude which we have taken over Vietnam.

Mr. Bellenger

Was my right hon. Friend able to acquaint the Governments of Australia and New Zealand with the intention of Her Majesty's Government to make application to enter the Common Market? If so, what was the reaction of those two countries?

Mr. Bowden

I have answered the first part. As for the second part, both New Zealand and Australia accepted the explanation which I gave that there would be full consultation if Her Majesty's Government decided to negotiate for our entry into E.E.C.