HC Deb 22 February 1972 vol 831 cc1099-100
Q6. Mr. Spearing

asked the Prime Minister when he expects to make his next official visit to Bonn.

The Prime Minister

I have at present no plans to make a further visit to Bonn, but I look forward to welcoming Herr Brandt when he pays an official visit to this country on 20th and 21st April.

Mr. Spearing

When the Prime Minister welcomes Herr Brandt, would he ask him how the scheme works out in practice whereby the Bundestag looks at articles in draft in the Community? Would he say why, if it can be organised in the Bundestag in Bonn, such a practice cannot be organised for the in Britain?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. On the last occasion I was in Bonn I discussed with the German Chancellor the workings of the German Parliament in relation to the European Community—not only the European Parliament but also the question of the Ministerial Council and its relationship to the Cabinet, and so on. Naturally, we are perfectly prepared to discuss this with any of the members of the Community and to learn from their experience over the past 12 years. But when my right hon. and learned Friend proposed, in the debate last week, that there should be an ad hoc committee of both Houses to examine this matter, this surely would be the purpose of that committee, and it would take into account the experience of the countries which are already members of the Community.

Mr. Heffer

Would the right hon. Gentleman indicate whether he will discuss with Chancellor Brandt the question of European security and the whole idea of a European security conference? Will that be one of the priority items on the agenda?

The Prime Minister

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is not customary to publish an agenda for visits of this kind, but I cannot imagine an official visit with the German Chancellor in which we did not discuss the question of a European security conference. After all, the timing for such a conference is bound up with the Ostpolitik, which is one of Chancellor Brandt's primary concerns. The hon. Gentleman may rest assured that we shall go into this in considerable detail.