§ Q4. Mr. Ridleyasked the Prime Minister what progress he has made with his proposal to establish a European Technological Community.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the speech I made at the Guildhall on 13th November, a copy of which is in the Library.
§ Mr. RidleyWill the Prime Minister undertake to press on with the setting-up of this Community, despite a certain lack of co-operation in one quarter of Europe? Will he agree that the main impediment to setting up European-scale firms, about which he talked in his Guildhall speech, is the present tax treatment of British firms in this country? Will he undertake to change that treatment to suit Continental conditions?
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is certainly, "Yes, Sir." As to the second part, as I said in that speech, jointly with British industry we are giving a great deal of attention to what can be done by ourselves and internationally to create European companies of the type which have been discussed in this House and on the Continent. Tax questions will be, of course, part of that study.
Dr. OwenIs my right hon. Friend aware that, whatever political objections may be coming from France, within France the technologists and scientists are extremely interested in collaboration? Will he particularly pursue the question of Capenhurst and the high temperature reactor?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware that the scientists and technologists in France are extremely anxious to co-operate with us in the Capenhurst-Piemelatte kind of link, but also, as I said at the Guildhall, there is the need, on a wider European basis, to make Europe independent of supply from across the seas of enriched uranium 235 and other nuclear material.