HC Deb 03 May 1967 vol 746 cc535-7
45. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many visits, and of what duration, have been paid by senior officials of his Department to Brussels since 10th November, 1966, to learn at first hand the problems of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community.

Mr. Peart

None, for this specific purpose, since my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 10th November, 1966 that talks were to be held with heads of Governments of the Six. But my officials have visited Brussels for other purposes and have numerous contacts with Community officials.

Mr. Mills

Does not this prove beyond doubt that the right hon. Gentleman never really has had any enthusiasm for our going into Europe? Is not this proved by his not allowing officials to go there to see for themselves what the problems are? If the right hon. Gentleman is going to take this matter seriously, as I hope he will, will he see that officials go to Brussels to learn at first hand what is going on?

Mr. Peart

The inference of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question shows that he is well off the mark in this matter. He is saying that I have prevented officials from going. In fact, I have encouraged my officials to have all possible contacts with the Community and with other countries in Europe. I hope, therefore, that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw this prejudice. He knows full well, being a distinguished member of the Select Committee, that we are preparing a statement for the Committee.

Mr. Stodart

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that he has made a most astonishing statement? Is it not the case that the Select Committee showed that two senior officials have paid only one or two visits to Brussels in the middle of this important pre-negotiation period? Is it the case that the right hon. Gentleman is allowing his well-known dislike of the E.E.C. to lead him into such a path of lethargy that he is leaving the whole of the ground uncultivated?

Mr. Peart

The hon. Gentleman knows full well that the delegation in Brussels is the responsibility of the Foreign Office and that the arrangements have been precisely those which were concluded by my predecessors. I have considerably encouraged the making of contacts with Europe. Indeed, I am the Chairman of the Ministers' Committee in O.E.C.D. on this matter.

Mr. William Edwards

If the Minister says that this state of affairs shown by the evidence given to the Select Committee does not reveal prejudice by himself, will he make sure that it does not reveal prejudice on the part of the officials who, he says, are encouraged to go to Europe?

Mr. Peart

I resent that slur, a slur which was repeated in the Press. against my permanent officials. I believe that I have honourable civil servants to advise me, and if people want to attack anybody in my Department, let them attack me.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Hill, Question No. 47.

Mr. J. E. B. Hill

As the right hon. Gentleman has considerable influence—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I said Mr. Hill, No. 47.