HC Deb 13 February 1969 vol 777 cc1562-3
Q1. Mr. Ridley

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange to meet President de Gaulle to discuss Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.

Q6. Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to visit President de Gaulle.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)

I have been asked to reply.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster (Mr. Henig) on 17th December.—[Vol. 775, c. 357.]

Mr. Ridley

Will the Foreign Secretary ask the French whether economic weakness is still a bar to membership of the European Economic Community? If so, will he ask them whether they intend to continue as members?

Mr. Stewart

The view to which the hon. Member refers has been expressed by the French Government. I do not know that they have said anything to retract it. But I do not think that making the riposte that the hon. Gentleman suggests would necessarily help matters.

Mr. Gwynfor Evans

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Prime Minister to make representations to General de Gaulle, when next they meet, about the havoc wrought by the French State in the national life and language of Brittany and about the torture of Breton Nationalists in French gaols? Will he urge the Prime Minister to cry from the steps of the Elysee "Breiz dishaul, Llydaw rydd, Bretogne libre"?

Mr. Stewart

This advice is all very interesting, and I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend will note what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. Shinwell

Does my right hon. Friend consider that the Prime Minister's suggested journey is any longer necessary? Is it not obvious that we have abandoned the attempt to get into the Community through the front door and that we are now trying to get in through the tradesmen's entrance?

Mr. Stewart

As has been made clear many times it is our determination, and the view of all parties in the House, that we should persist with our application for entry.

Concerning the Prime Minister's suggested journey, the Answer to which I referred, which my right hon. Friend gave in December, was to the effect that he has no plans to make such a visit at present.

Mr. Heath

Whilst we appreciate the Foreign Secretary answering Questions here today, may I ask whether he can tell the House why he is not in his rightful place taking part in discussions on European unity in Bonn?

Mr. Stewart

Partly because I am here to answer the right hon. Gentleman's question.

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