§ Q1. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister if he will invite the Dutch Prime Minister to visit him for talks on matters of mutual interest.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I have no plans to do so at present.
§ Mr. MartenWhen the meeting takes place, will the Prime Minister discuss with him the remarks of Dr. Luns, the Dutch Foreign Minister, that unless Britain gives a firm pledge to a federal Europe our application will not have the wholehearted support of the Dutch Government? In view of the E.E.C. Report of 1st October which pleads for an elected Parliament with budgetary powers, surely the movement for federalism is afoot, either inside or outside the Treaty of Rome? If we were members of the Common Market, and this went further, would the Prime Minister say "Yes" or "No" to such a federal movement?
§ The Prime MinisterIf I were to meet the Dutch Prime Minister, all relevant matters would be considered. As regards the question of federalism, I have answered this a number of times in the House, and still more recently on the South Coast.
§ Mr. John MendelsonHas my right hon. Friend seen the reference in that E.E.C. Report to the publicly-owned British steel industry? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this matter was raised in the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, and that the Government then gave an assurance that under no circumstances would the publicly-owned steel industry be broken up again? Will my right hon. Friend reaffirm that to the House this afternoon?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. We have taken our own decision about steel. I do not accept that the present situation of the steel industry in Britain has any bearing on this matter.