§ 40. Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in his efforts to bring the French Government back into regular attendance at meetings of the Western European Union.
§ Mr. MulleyAs we have made clear on a number of occasions, we regret that France has not been participating in the 935 work of Western European Union. We continue to hope that French participation will be resumed since we believe France has a valuable part to play.
§ Mr. GriffithsIn view of very recent events in France, will the Government invite the new French Head of State to resume France's righful and necessary part in Western European Union? Will the right hon. Gentleman do so as soon as practicable?
§ Mr. MulleyI am not sure that we need to issue any special invitation, because France has the right—and we have regretted that she has not exercised it—to be present at all meetings of Western European Union. As for recent events, they are still a little too recent for me to comment on them.
§ Mr. MayhewWhile it would be rash to forecast the course of French politics, may we be sure that Her Majesty's Government now feel encouraged to persist in the robust attitude that they have taken towards the powers of W.E.U. and towards our membership of E.E.C.?
§ Mr. MulleyI see no reason why we should not continue the policies that we have consistently followed both as regards our application to join the Community and to have discussions and promote European collaboration outside the Community through Western European Union.