§ Q3. Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the European Free Trade Association Prime Ministers to London at an early date to discuss the relationships between that organisation and the United Kingdom.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no plans to do so.
577 There was, however, a meeting of European Free Trade Association Ministers in Vienna during November and they will be meeting again in Geneva during May, 1969.
§ Mr. LloydAre not the Government showing undue complacency in an area where vigorous new initiative is required to reinforce success? Will the right hon. Gentleman note that, in conversations I have had with five E.F.T.A. ambassadors in the last 24 hours, all of them emphasised our comparative neglect of a large, prosperous and co-operative part of Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot comment on the hon. Gentleman's conversations with ambassadors. All I know is what E.F.T.A. Ministers have said to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade when he represents this country there. Our trade with E.F.T.A. has been increasing strongly during recent months and years. We have not yet got the detailed figures for November but I shall be surprised if they do not show that our E.F.T.A. trade is following the same general pattern of improvement that the country is recording in its world market position.
§ Mr. Raphael TuckAt an early date, will my right hon. Friend invite the Heads of Government of those countries which might be included in a North Atlantic free trade association to discuss the strong advisability of setting up such an organisation?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to previous replies on this matter. As I have pointed out, it does not just involve the North Atlantic area, but also such countries as Australia and others which have no Atlantic seaboard. We want generalised trade throughout. It is a very large subject and it would be better done through the G.A.T.T. and other direct contacts.