§ Q4. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister if he will now invite the Italian Prime Minister to make an official visit to Great Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to my reply on 4th December to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) and other hon. Members.—[Vol. 792, c. 1695–1703.]
§ Mr. MartenAs it seems likely, in the regrettable political situation in Italy, that the Italian Government may be Communist or even military Fascist, will the Prime Minister, without pleading the quasi-hypothetical nature of my supplementary question, say how in the circumstances he sees the political unity of Europe which he so desires as a result of our going into the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterI certainly cannot associate myself with the implications in the hon. Gentleman's question. I am not pleading the hypothetical case, but if he were right about it, I am not sure that he should be so enthusiastic that I should invite either a Communist or a Fascist Prime Minister to visit this country.
§ Mr. DickensIf the Prime Minister invites the Italian Prime Minister, will he take note that Italy, alone of the advanced industrial countries, has had increased productivity in excess of increased average weekly earnings? Does not this lie behind much of the apparent industrial unrest in this country?
§ The Prime MinisterI believe my hon. Friend will be fairly satisfied with what has been achieved in this country over the last year or so, while we all want to see this improved in the future. While it is not for us to comment about the difficulties of other countries, I think my hon. Friend will also agree that Italy is facing very deep industrial troubles on which it would not be right for us to comment.