Fanfare for Europe

HC Deb 20 November 1972 vol 846 cc899-900

16. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what particular rôle he and other Ministers in his Department will play in the Fanfare for Europe activities.

Mr. John Davies

Arrangements are not yet complete, but it is likely that I and all Ministers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, will be attending events in the Fanfare for Europe programme.

Mr. Marten

I hope that they enjoy themselves. Does my right hon. Friend think that at a time when this House is engaged in considering the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Bill it is wise to spend £350,000 of public money on celebrating an event which in itself is admitted in the White Paper to be inflationary? Will he think again about this matter?

Mr. Davies

No, I do not feel inclined to think again. The amount of money to which my hon. Friend has referred is only part of the total amount that is being expended. The rest is being found largely by private bodies. Moreover, it is right to remember that this country, with its enormous stake in the whole cultural heritage of Europe and the world, could hardly celebrate more aptly its membership of the Community than in the way we are planning to do.

Mr. Mikardo

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a modern dictionary "fanfare" has been described as "a public relations exercise for a non-event"?

Mr. Davies

No, Sir. Clearly the hon. Gentleman and I do not read the same dictionaries.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Since the policy of the Labour Party is opposed to entry on the current terms, does the right hon. Gentleman really expect the Labour-controlled local authorities which are now being invited to participate to blow a fanfare, or to blow something else?

Mr. Davies

I very much hope that all concerned will take this great event in the spirit in which this country should embark on its membership of the Community—that is, not in a petty spirit of continuing criticism and bickering but in a sense of our regarding this as a real opportunity.

Mr. Callaghan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as this event will take place in the middle of the freeze it might be thought that because the Government cannot give the people bread they are giving them circuses?

Mr. Davies

No, it is not taking quite that form; nor is it intended to distribute brioches.