§ Q1. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister what consultations he has had in recent months with Commonwealth Prime Ministers about Great Britain's negotiations to join the Common Market.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)I have had consultations with a large number of my Commonwealth colleagues on this subject in recent months.
§ Mr. MartenIn that case, is not my right hon. Friend aware of the anxiety building up in some Commonwealth countries about our negotiations over the Common Market—particularly over the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and New Zealand's position? Can he reaffirm that we shall not join the Common Market unless suitable arrangements can be made for our Commonwealth partners?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Commonwealth Sugar Agreement has been stated from the beginning to be one of the major items in the negotiations. In discussion with Commonwealth colleagues, particularly those concerned with sugar, I have found that they accept that this is the case, and they have been carrying on discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster about the details.
§ Mr. PentlandApart from the economic issues involved for Britain and the Commonwealth in the present negotiations, will the right hon. Gentleman tell us how far the Government would go on the political and constitutional implications involved for Britain and the Commonwealth when these issues in turn have to be negotiated?
§ The Prime MinisterThese are not matters to be negotiated in discussing the Treaty of Rome and they are not being negotiated in Brussels at the moment.
§ Mr. TapsellIn view of the great importance which we are naturally giving to the security position in the Indian Ocean at present, has any consideration been given to the position of Mauritius in relation to sugar and the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterI have had three separate discussions with the Prime Minister of Mauritius about a wide range of subjects and on each occasion the question of the European negotiations was included.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWill the right hon. Gentleman endorse the Australian Deputy Prime Minister's attack on the economic policies of the Common Market, in particular the policy of predatory dumping?
§ The Prime MinisterI heard the views of the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia when he came to London, and I heard them on previous occasions from 1961 to 1963. We have to accept that there is a difference of view here about the activities of the Common Market.