§ 1. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the subject of EEC political union is to be discussed at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)No, Sir. I am not aware of any proposal that this subject should be discussed at the next meeting of the Council.
§ Mr. DeakinsWhen the Secretary of State has this subject on the agenda will he make it clear to the Council of Ministers that his commitment binds only the Conservative Government? Will he remind the Council of Ministers that Parliament has not been consulted on this matter? Furthermore, will he emphasise to the appropriate meeting of the Council of Ministers that the British people have not been consulted, and are most unlikely to agree?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeNo, Sir, I should not go so far as that. No Government can bind their successors. That is quite clear. There is no particular pattern for political union at this moment. It cannot be seen in advance. There has to be an evolutionary process.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the closer the political consultations and action of the nine countries of the Community the better, not only for Western Europe but for the western world, in all the most important international matters of today?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes, I think that consultation is very important. My 407 experience of the meetings so far is that the Foreign Ministers try to reach the maximum consensus on any particular matter of policy.
§ Mr. MartenIs my right hon. Friend aware that during the debate on the Common Market a Foreign Office Minister said that it is not the aim of the Government to work towards federalism? Will he assure the House that that view remains, and that we are still opposed to federalism?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI do not know whether my hon. Friend is referring to me. I believe, and have always said, that it is useless to attach labels like "federalism", "federal" or "confederal". Europe will have its own pattern, which it will work out for itself.