HC Deb 10 February 1969 vol 777 cc878-9
31. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what further economic action he proposes to associate Malta more closely with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. Mulley

An open-ended group, in which the United Kingdom Permanent Representative plays his part, was set up in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation last year, under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General, to further consultations between the Alliance and Malta. Malta's relations with the Alliance are a matter for member Governments collectively and the Malta Government.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

As a step towards this, in view of the friendly co-operation of Malta in the past, would it be possible for Her Majesty's Government to extend an invitation to them to join the European Free Trade Area?

Mr. Mulley

I do not see that questions about the Free Trade Area arise from a Question about N.A.T.O.