§ 1. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with representatives of Australia and New Zealand on the subject of the proposed Atlantic Free Trade Area.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. William Whitlock)There have been no Governmental proposals for an Atlantic Free Trade Area. No substantive discussions have, therefore, taken place, although the subject has come up informally from time to time in general discussions with Australian and New Zealand representatives.
§ Mr. MartenIs it not odd that now that the American Government are doing a feasibility study of this proposal for an Atlantic Free Trade Area, Her Majesty's Government have not had conversations with Commonwealth countries about this? Are not the Government creating a vacuum in foreign policy by not having an alternative to the Common Market?
§ Mr. WhitlockI am not aware of an American feasibility study of a possible Atlantic Free Trade Area. It is true that Mr. Roth made a statement to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress some time ago, but certain words he used were taken out of context. We have no reason to expect that there will be any change in the Administration's thinking on a possible Atlantic Free Trade Area.