§ 4. Mr. John Fraserasked the Prime Minister is he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech to the Socialist International at Eastbourne on 16th June, 1969 on the subject of British foreign policy.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to a Question by the right hon. Member for 1569 Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) on Tuesday.—[Vol. 786, c. 234.]
§ Mr. FraserI have had a chance to read that speech. At the beginning, my right hon. Friend paid tribute to Herr Willi Brandt and he finished by saying the time was not on the side of democracy. In the circumstances, did he have a chance to discuss with Herr Brandt the proposed contract by the Harold Werke yard to build four submarines for the Greek military régime and the implications of that proposed contract on the German peace treaty and our attitude towards it under W.E.U., which sanctioned the deal, and its implications for democracy in Greece?
§ The Prime MinisterThat did not arise out of the speech at Eastbourne. I discussed with Herr Brandt and other West European leaders this weekend a wide variety of subjects, of which, of course, Greece was one, and I think that we all showed common concern about the Greek situation. I did not discuss the question of submarines. I agree with my hon. Friend that this is a matter for W.E.U., because the proposal that the clearance given by W.E.U. in 1963 to build six submarines should be used for the possible building of four submarines for Greece requires reference back to W.E.U., which gave the clearance six years ago in different circumstances.
§ Mr. TurtonWill the Prime Minister send the leaders of the Common Market countries the passage in that speech which explained that Britain's application to join the Common Market was not for the purpose of creating a powerful European economic bloc but as a step towards wider world free trade?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. Most of those who were in Eastbourne heard that point made. It has always been our position, and I hope that, whatever other differences there are in the House about the Common Market, it has always been the position of every hon. Member.