§ Q6. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister what discussions he has held or intends to hold with Mr. Jack Marshall, the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand; and to what extent these include matters pertaining to Great Britain's entry into the Common Market and its effect on New Zealand's trade with Great Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterI discussed these and other matters with Mr. Marshall yesterday.
§ Mr. LewisThe Prime Minister has not given us any information. Is it not the case that the New Zealand Government are very much against Britain's going into the Common Market because they know that we cannot possibly get any terms which will not be ruinous to the Commonwealth, New Zealand especially? 842 Will not the Prime Minister give them an assurance that we shall do nothing to harm our Commonwealth partners?
§ The Prime MinisterThe New Zealand Government asked that the special problems of New Zealand should be stated in the opening statement of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. That was done at the opening of the negotiations.
§ Mr. John MendelsonHas not the Prime Minister seen the text of the television broadcast by Mr. Marshall a few days ago which took place after the right hon. Gentleman had made his openning statement and in which Mr. Marshall expressed his great anxiety? Cannot the Prime Minister make a series of public statements as the negotiations proceed to try to show the people of New Zealand that their interests will be safeguarded? While there must be secrecy about certain details, there need not be secrecy about matters of this kind.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will report to the House at each stage of the negotiations. As New Zealand matters are dealt with, not only will the New Zealand High Commissioner here be informed but also, when necessary, New Zealand's Ambassador in Brussels; and the House will be informed at the same time.