HC Deb 09 February 1971 vol 811 c273
Q5. Mr. St. John-Stevas

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now seek to pay official visits to the capitals of the six member countries of the European Economic Community.

The Prime Minister

I hope to visit Bonn on the 22nd and 23rd March, but I have no specific plans for other visits.

Mr. St. John-Stevas rose

Hon. Members

Take him with you.

Mr. Speaker

Order. These noises waste time.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I am always prepared to travel in good company. In view of the need to evoke a general political will in Europe if the present negotiations to enlarge the E.E.C. are to succeed, and since my right hon. Friend is liberally endowed with that quality—enough for six, if not for ten—will he reconsider this decision? [HON. MEMBERS: "Too long."] If it is too long, it is due to barracking by hon. Members opposite. Will my right hon. Friend reconsider his decision and enlarge his visit to include the other capitals?

The Prime Minister

I should make it plain to my hon. Friend that I have not reached any decision about visits to the other capitals. The only firm commitment at this moment is to go to Bonn at the end of March. I do not exclude visits to the other capitals after that.