§ Q5. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the Dutch Prime Minister to pay an official visit to Great Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Netherlands Prime Minister would, of course, be welcome in this country at any time, but there are at present no plans for a visit.
§ Mr. MartenIf he does come, could the Prime Minister discuss with him the question of the disunity amongst the Six about the question of political unity? Could he invite them perhaps to try their hands at speaking with one voice about unity?
§ The Prime MinisterPerhaps my hon. Friend will appreciate that when the Community is moving towards new policies 232 this is done through a process of discussion, and that different views may be held by individual countries. That is perfectly understandable, because they are all ancient countries of Europe. But in the process of their discussions they have in the past come to agreements, to which they have then adhered. This is a natural process in the development of a new entity such as the European Community.
§ Mr. LaneIs it not clear that the Dutch have made a great contribution to the optimistic, forward-looking mood in continental Europe today, and that if Britain fails to respond to that mood we and our children will regret it?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is true that the Netherlands Government, and the Dutch people supporting them, have been foremost in their desire that Britain should become a member of an enlarged E.E.C, and have taken a prominent part in the negotiations to try to bring that about.
§ Mr. John D. GrantWould the right hon. Member for Cowes accept that many of us wholeheartedly stand by the statement which he made just before the last General Election, that he should have the wholehearted consent of the British Parliament and people before we enter the E.E.C? Could he now indicate what he meant by that phrase? Or was that another of his little pre-election jokes which we should not take seriously?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member will have to await my statement.