§ 10. Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations he intends having to stimulate the development of the European Free Trade Area.
§ Mr. MulleyIn our view the facilities for consultation provided by the regular meeting of the European Free Trade Association Council both at the Ministerial and the official level are adequate.
§ Dr. DunwoodyIn view of the protracted nature of our negotiations to get into E.E.C., would my right hon. Friend agree that we should seek with our E.F.T.A. partners some means of bringing the two European groupings closer together economically, socially and politically?
§ Mr. MulleyThe agreed first priority with E.F.T.A. is to bring about the wider economic integration of Europe of which my hon. Friend speaks. In fact, at their meeting in Lausanne on 26th October, the E.F.T.A. Ministers expressed their unanimous desire for early and successful negotiations with the E.E.C. At the same meeting, a full review was made of the work of E.F.T.A., which is developing along the lines my hon. Friend desires.