§ 29. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he now intends to take in order to set up a European technological community open to all States.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsI have nothing to add to the Answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 27th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Bishop).—[Vol. 759, c. 1222–3.]
§ Mr. RidleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the European technological community is probably the only good idea the Prime Minister ever had? Why do not the Government do something to back it, and get it off the ground?
§ Mr. RobertsThe technological community—the hon. Gentleman used the word "community"—can only be considered in the context of full membership by this country and other countries in the unified market. On the other hand, it is possible to pursue various projects of technological collaboration not involving the community, and we are actively looking at these matters now.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsIs the Minister aware that the Prime Minister went to Strasbourg and there made a very impressive speech on the matter? What has happened to his initiative since that time?
§ Mr. RobertsWe stand ready to consider any proposals coming from the Six. As I said, any full working out of the technological community with full British participation must depend on our being admitted to the unified market. In the meantime, there may be other, ad hoc, projects into which British participation can be worked.