§ Q5. Mr. Winnickasked the Prime Minister, what further consultations he has had with other heads of Governments regarding the application to join the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 17th March to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. Peter Archer). I am looking forward to seeing the Swedish Prime Minister later this afternoon.—[Vol. 798, c. 104.]
§ Mr. WinnickIs my right hon. Friend aware that a number of us who on balance are in favour of joining the Common Market consider that all the facts and all the information should be given, as was done in the Government's White 239 Paper? Is not it arrogant, for example, for the Liberal leader to expect British people to be silent, passive observers on such an important issue for our country?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is our policy to give all the available information, and that is what we tried to do in the White Paper which the House debated. I said on that occasion that, as the negotiations proceeded, we would ensure that the House was kept fully informed of all facts which were necessary to enable the House and the public to make up their minds on this matter.
§ Mr. GrimondDoes the Prime Minister agree that it would be useful to have consultations with the Governments of other countries which may also be applying for membership of E.E.C., particularly on matters on which so far there is no Common Market policy, such as discussions on fishing with the Norwegians?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are in close touch with the other applicants, including Ireland. We are in touch with E.F.T.A., with the Irish Government and with the neutral countries on all these matters, but I am doubtful whether there would be a case for a collective meeting of the applicants and those others who are primarily concerned, whether in E.F.T.A. or otherwise.