HC Deb 27 March 1969 vol 780 cc1788-9
Ql. Mr. Molloy

asked the Prime Minister what visits he proposes making to the European Free Trade Association countries.

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

I have been asked to reply.?

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Graves-end (Mr. Murray) on 27th February, he will be making an official visit to Sweden in early July.

Mr. Molloy

My Question goes a little wider than that. I am concerned because the Government seem to be hypnotised by their efforts to get into the Common Market, which I think is dangerous. Ought not we to acknowledge that we have E.P.T.A. partners and ought we not to show as much appreciation of their existence, in the possible hope of entering a new phase for European policy, as we show the Common Market?

Mr. Stewart

The European Free Trade Area is in full vigour, and we are in constant touch with our partners there. There was an opportunity for a full exchange of views at the Ministerial meeting of ELF.T.A. on 21st November, and there will be a further opportunity at the E.F.T.A. Ministers' next meeting on 8th and 9th May.

Sir F. Bennett

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that our relations, economic or political, with E.F.T.A. countries would be improved if the Prime Minister were to visit those countries?

Mr. Stewart

There are very many invitations from foreign countries for the Prime Minister to visit them, more, of course, than he is able to accept.

Mr. Shinwell

Will my right hon. Friend decide once and for all to abandon these visits to other countries, particularly to European countries? Is he not aware by now that the more often Ministers and ex-Ministers perambulate around the continent of Europe the worse the situation becomes?

Mr. Stewart

No, Sir. I cannot agree with my right hon. Friend.