HC Deb 01 May 1967 vol 746 cc86-8
49. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Free Trade Association Ministerial meeting in London on 28th April.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Frederick Mulley)

The meeting was designed to fulfil the undertaking that we made at Stockholm to consult further with our European Free Trade Association partners after we had had an opportunity of reviewing my right hon. Friends' the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary's discussions in the capitals of the Community, but before any conclusions had been drawn from them as regards Her Majesty's Government's future policy.

With permission, I will circulate a copy of the communiquée in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the communiqué's reference to transitional periods to enable existing members of E.F.T.A. to complete negotiations? Was there or was there not any undertaking given regarding the imposition of tariffs between existing members of E.F.T.A.?

Mr. Mulley

No undertakings were given beyond those set out in the communiquée itself, of which, I am sure, the hon. Gentleman has seen a copy. The point with which E.F.T.A. members were concerned was that we should endeavour—the phrase is clearly in that sense—to see that all E.F.T.A. members seeking membership of or association with the Community should contrive to do so in a way which would prevent for a transitional time the erection of tariff barriers only for them to be removed when they were all, as one hoped, members of the Community.

Mr. William Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the terms of the 1961 London Agreement will be fully adhered to?

Mr. Mulley

I can give no such assurance, because no such assurance was asked for. There is a general view in E.F.T.A. that those terms no longer apply and my hon. Friend will see from paragraph 5 of the communiquée what is the wish of E.F.T.A. Governments in present circumstances, if—and I must stress "if"—Her Majesty's Government decide to make such an application.

E.F.T.A. PRESS COMMUNIQUé

The E.F.T.A. Council met at Ministerial level in London on 28th April, 1967, under the chairmanship of Mr. Gunnar Lange, Minister of Commerce of Sweden. Finland was also represented by Mr. Ahti Karjalainen, Foreign Minister, who was present in a personal capacity. The only item on their agenda was European integration.

2. The meeting, held in accordance with an agreement reached at the E.F.T.A. Ministerial conference in Stockholm in March of this year, gave the opportunity for a general discussion among Ministers of the prospects of European integration as they appear now that the United Kingdom Government have been able to review their own recent discussions in the six capitals of the European Economic Community, and before any final conclusions have been drawn from them.

3. The E.F.T.A. Governments, desirous of bringing about a single European market in accordance with the purpose of the Stockholm Convention, recognised that, if the British Government were to decide to seek a closer relationship with the E.E.C., that decision would open up new prospects for a solution of the question of European economic integration, in which they all intended to participate.

4. In affirming their intention to work towards the goal of European economic integration, all the E.F.T.A. Governments reiterated their strong interest in safe-guarding, as an important part of an enlarged European community, the free market already established in E.F.T.A. by the successful dismantling of trade barriers within the Association.

5. The change from the present division of Europe to a single market should be as smooth as possible. Were the United Kingdom or any other member of E.F.T.A. to apply for participation in the E.E.C., the process of negotiation and of ratifying any ensuing agreement could hardly be short. In addition, it would be the purpose of E.F.T.A. Governments that, should it be necessary in order to give a reasonable opportunity to their partners in the Free Trade Area to conclude negotiations, sufficient transitional periods should be provided for, with a view to avoiding disruption in European trade patterns.

6. Ministers agreed that their Governments should maintain close and continuous consultation on all the aspects of the future of European structure.