HC Deb 17 November 1969 vol 791 cc847-8
33. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent consultations with the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Mr. M. Stewart

Mr. Marshall and I had confidential discussions on 6th and 17th October primarily about the implications for New Zealand of Britain joining the European Economic Community. We had a cordial exchange of views in the course of which the positions of our respective Governments were re-stated and well understood.

Mr. van Straubenzee

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Is it right that his consultations with Mr. Marshall took place while Mr. Marshall was able to have extensive consultations within Europe, and did he return feeling that there was an insuperable difficulty in finding a special arrangement for New Zealand if Britain should join the Common Market?

Mr. Stewart

I had talks with Mr. Marshall both before and after his visits to Europe. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on his talks with other Governments, but I am very much of the view that there is no insuperable difficulty here.