HC Deb 24 March 1969 vol 780 cc1037-9
21. Mr. St. John-Stevas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on Government policy in relation to future meetings of the Council of Western European Union.

Mr. M. Stewart

We shall continue to consult closely with our European partners in Western European Union on matters of foreign policy in the spirit in which we all agreed at Luxembourg. Our aim in thus working together will be to make full use of Western European Union for the purpose set out in the Revised Brussels Treaty of promoting unity and encouraging the progressive integration of Europe.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

What is the precise significance of Lord Chalfont's appointment to the Council? What has happened to the proposals put forward by Herr Willy Brandt to resolve differences between France and her partners in W.E.U.?

Mr. Stewart

I hope that it will be possible to resolve differences between France and her partners, and we shall pursue any reasonable course to that end. The significance of Lord Chalfont's appointment is that it shows the importance we attach to discussions in Western European Union.

Mr. Wood

Will the right hon. Gentleman clear up a point of some difficulty? Is it possible for decisions to be taken by those present, or is an affirmative vote by all Council members needed?

Mr. Stewart

I would conclude, judging from practice in the Security Council of the United Nations and elsewhere, that unless a decision is positively objected to by somebody present at the time it should be taken as a valid decision.

Mr. Mayhew

Has my right hon. Friend seen the support for the Government's attitude to W.E.U. expressed last week by the German Foreign Minister? Is he aware that his robust policy on this issue gets wide support from the benches behind him?

Mr. Stewart

I am grateful to my hon. Friend.

30. Mr. Moyle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now seek to withdraw the item of Monetary Reform from the Agenda of Western European Union in considering the policy to be followed by Her Majesty's Government towards future meetings of that body.

Mr. M. Stewart

We have made it clear that we would be prepared to take part in discussion of international monetary policy in Western European Union as well as in other forums, but there is no item on monetary reform at present on the agenda.

Mr. Moyle

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reassurance. Does not he agree that discussions on international monetary reform in the absence of the United States are likely to be highly unfruitful and that there should be no question of committing our position to conservative European attitudes before discussions open with the United States?

Mr. Stewart

For the reason I have given, this question does not at present arise.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is the Government's intention to pursue this and other discussions in Western European Union even at the risk of having its budget blocked and the organisation as a result brought to a standstill?

Mr. Stewart

There is no question at all of the organisation being brought to a standstill. The rest of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is hypothetical.

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