§ Q6. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister, what plans he now has to seek to pay an official visit to Italy.
§ The Prime Minister.I have at present no plans to do so, but I look forward to welcoming the Italian Prime Minister here from 27th to 29th June.
§ Mr. MartenIn view of the somewhat decomposing nature of our negotiations 1674 to join the Common Market, would my right hon. Friend consider, when he meets the Prime Ministers of the Six, discussing with them at this stage alternative trading arrangements with our friends in Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I see no point in doing that.
§ Mr. MaclennanHas the Prime Minister noted the successful initiative of the Italian Government last week at the E.E.C. Commission in accelerating the restructuring of agriculture in the Community? Has he noted the effect which this will have on diminishing that part of the contribution which this country might have to pay for sustaining the extremely high prices?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I had noticed this further step in the general restructuring of agriculture throughout all the Community countries.
§ Mr. BlakerWill my right hon. Friend consider inviting my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) to visit Italy and to ask the Italians whether they think that membership of the Community has or has not benefited their prosperity?
§ The Prime MinisterI hesitate about making such suggestions to my hon. Friend, because he may begin to doubt my motives.
§ Mr. PeartWill the right hon. Gentleman note what Mr. Mansholt said the other day about the common agricultural policy—that, probably, one day they will have to accept the British deficiency payments system?
§ The Prime MinisterI have heard suggestions of this kind before—over the last 10 years, in fact—but at present it is the common agricultural policy which is pursued throughout the Community, and we have undertaken to carry out that policy if we became a member.