HC Deb 26 February 1968 vol 759 cc928-9
17. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what precise purposes have the public funds allocated to Britain in Europe Limited, of Chandos House, S.W.1, been increased to £7,500 this year and if he will make a statement.

Mr. George Brown

The grant-in-aid to "Britain in Europe" is to assist that organisation in promoting a proper understanding in Europe of the British point of view on European affairs.

Mr. Marten

Now that the Government's attempts to get into the Common Market appear to have collapsed—as a minority of hon. Members forecast they would—why does money still go on being given to this promotional organisation? Was a similar amount of money given to the Anti-Common Market League so that we could have the great debate promised by the Prime Minister, or to N.A.F.T.A.

Mr. Brown

That question seemed to get a lot of miss-shots into one barrel, if I may put it that way. [Laughter.] Perhaps they were blunt dum-dum bullets. I will work it out and do it better next time. Our position is that there is no reason at all for assuming that, what the hon. Member was kind enough to say he applauded, the effort to join a wider Common Market has lapsed. It has not. It remains and a great deal is still going on. This organisation and others—this is not the only one, a list was given by the Under-Secretary a little time ago in answer to a Question in the House—does more than just put forward our view about the kind of economic or political Europe we think ought to emerge, but also ensures that the British view about international affairs is made clear in Europe. I think that the limited amount of money which we grant to it is more than justified as there is great need for this work to be done.

Mr. Jay

Is it not quite improper for the Government to hand out public funds to these sectional propaganda organisations at a time when we are having to economise on the National Health Service and all kinds of things? Will the Foreign Secretary do his obvious duty and terminate this waste of public money?

Mr. Brown

I note my right hon. Friend's conversion to that view which is not one which he used to hold.

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