§ Q4. Mr. Wallasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations with the European Economic Community.
§ Q6. Mr. Cordleasked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterI would ask hon. Members to await the the statement which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be making later today.
§ Mr. WallWhile welcoming the Prime Minister's refusal to take Non for an 1886 answer, are studies being made of alternatives such as an Atlantic Free Trade Area possibly linked with E.F.T.A., Australia and New Zealand which might become necessary in the case of a veto?
§ The Prime MinisterWhether it is "No" or Non we are taking for an answer, or Non, mais or Oui, mais, is a matter of considerable argument and public discussion. All I know is that the Six have adjourned discussions until 20th November. There is no advantage in, and no question of starting looking at, alternatives such as those suggested by the hon. Gentleman. I have dealt with this matter in past Questions. As I said on Tuesday, our application is in and it remains in.
§ Mr. CordleIs the Prime Minister still satisfied that conditions exist for fruitful negotiations which he announced his intention of discovering as long ago as 10th November, 1966?
§ The Prime MinisterI believe that everything that I said on 10th November and on 2nd and 8th May still applies. We believe that the possibility of fruitful negotiations is there, and no one will doubt our intention of negotiating a satisfactory final settlement.