§ Q2. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange to meet the Prime Minister of France.
§ Q3. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the Prime Minister of France to consider for discussion the British application to join the Common Market.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I told my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster (Mr. Henig) on 6th May, further discussions with the French Government must await the result of the French elections.—[Vol. 783, c. 262–3.]
§ Mr. MartenWhen the Prime Minister meets the French Prime Minister, would he make a point of discussing with him the recent Anglo-Italian declaration at the conclusion of the Italian President's visit here in which the British Government pledged itself to an elected Parliament in the Common Market? Surely if that means anything at all, other than another toothless discussion group, is it not a supranational body, to which the Prime Minister has always declared his opposition?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Despite the hon. Gentleman's great knowledge of the subject, it is obvious that he has not recently studied the provisions for a Parliamentary Assembly under the Common Market rules. There is nothing supranational about this proposal.
§ Mr. WyattAs both Presidential candidates in France support British entry into the Common Market, as Herr Strauss is fully in support at well, and as, for once, the Common Market needs us more than we need it, is this not a more favourable opportunity than we are likely to get for a long time to pursue our application? Is my right hon. Friend further aware that he is to be commended for 233 having the foresight to leave our application on the table?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend is slightly wide of the mark when he refers to "both candidates". I understand that there are more than two—[Interruption.] It is not for me to select between them. That is a matter for the people of France. More than two have been nominated.
On the second part of my hon. Friend's question, I think that recent events show that the Government were wise to leave the application on the table and not be deterred by a temporary road block.
§ Mrs. EwingWill the Prime Minister assure the President of France that he would be most welcome to visit Scotland, and will he further assure him that he, in accordance with the highly developed French sense of justice, should ascertain the view of the Scots to the Common Market before assuming that all the people of Britain wish to enter it?
§ The Prime MinisterI will bear that point in mind when in due course there is a President of France and I am then able to meet him. However, he will be dealing with the Government representing the United Kingdom, of course.