§ Q1. Mr. Meacherasked the Prime Minister if he will update the information contained in his first White Paper on the Common Market.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)No, Sir. The July White Paper remains a valid record of the negotiations and the issues involved, and I have no doubt at all about the conclusion that the right decision for us is to join the European Communities.
§ Mr. MeacherSince the right hon. Gentleman has now been forced to acknowledge that he cannot carry the Common Market decision purely on his own party votes, will he not follow his new policy through to its only logical conclusion and agree to abide by his own declared statement, in view of the clear verdict of public opinion, not to carry this country into the Common Market 539 without the "full-hearted support" of Parliament and the British people?
§ The Prime MinisterIt has long been said, both by the Leader of the Opposition and by myself, that the way for opinion to be expressed on this matter is through Parliament, the traditional way.
§ Q6. Dr. Gilbertasked the Prime Minister what rearrangements in Ministerial functions he contemplates should the United Kingdom enter the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the House knows, I have already asked my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to co-ordinate the preparatory work that will be required in the Government, if Parliament approves the decision in principle that Britain should accede to the European Communities. All Departments are considering how their organisation would be affected; but I do not contemplate any other changes in Ministerial functions.
§ Dr. GilbertAs the right hon. Gentleman disclosed a few moments ago that the free vote on his side of the House on 28th October will be totally bogus, showing how little confidence he has in getting a majority, may I ask him to tell us what rearrangements in Ministerial functions will be necessary if we do not enter the Community?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman seems to show scant understanding of Parliamentary procedure. Any Government are entitled to ask for the support of all hon. Members in the House; and if all hon. Members were free to express their support, then perhaps we would get the best result.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisNow that the Prime Minister has decided to allow his colleagues a free vote on the Common Market, may we expect that the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) and the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. More) will be invited to rejoin the Government?
§ The Prime MinisterHon. Members will vote in the way they decide best. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman is so envious and jealous. There is no need for that.