HC Deb 30 January 1968 vol 757 cc1079-80
18. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the failure to proceed with negotiations about British entry into the European Economic Community, what plans he has for the purpose of reviving trade and political relations with the Commonwealth.

Mr. George Thomson

There has been no change in the British Government's policy of maintaining especially close relations in all fields with the other member Governments of the Commonwealth.

Mr. Shinwell

Does my right hon. Friend realise that we are getting the worst of both worlds? On the one hand, the old Commonwealth countries are losing confidence in Her Majesty's Government, and on the other, apparently, de Gaulle has little confidence in them, either? Would it not be better to sit down and take a cool look at the problem, recall the five Ministers at present in Strasbourg and revise our policy?

Mr. Thomson

I wish that my hon. Friend had couched his original Question and his supplementary in a less uncharacteristically contentious way, because I was very anxious to assure him of the importance which the Government attach to our Commonwealth relationships, especially economically, and especially in the light of developments in Europe.

Mr. Farr

How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his Answer with the fact that in September the Government failed to renew the Australian Meat Agreement and in November, for the first time for many years, failed to renew the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement?

Mr. Thomson

I recently paid a visit to Australia and the point did not loom as large in the mind of the Australian Government as it apparently does in the hon. Gentleman's mind. I remind him that trading relationships between Britain and the Commonwealth are still a very important part of our total trade and that we recognise them as such.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we must accept that we are excluded from the E.E.C. for at least some time in the foreseeable future? Bearing that in mind, what plans has he for initiating talks to increase Commonwealth trade and economic relationships with Commonwealth countries?

Mr. Thomson

The devaluation of the £ offers Britain immense opportunities for an increase in exports, not only to a number of Commonwealth countries but to a whole range of countries. This must be the economic priority for Her Majesty's Government in present circumstances.