HC Deb 28 November 1973 vol 865 cc387-8
16. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a statement on Great Britain's future relations with the Commonwealth.

Lord Balniel

We attach great value to the Commonwealth association. We shall continue to do so, and to play an active part in Commonwealth affairs.

Mr. Dormand

In view of the devastating effect which the Government's obsession with the EEC has had on our relations with the Commonwealth and the utter failure of the Prime Minister to make any impact at the Ottawa Common-wealth Conference, does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the British Government must now take the initiative on the widest possible range of social, economic and educational effects, in order to try to re-establish our credibility in the Commonwealth?

Lord Balniel

The hon. Gentleman is completely out of touch with the situation. The Ottawa Conference demonstrated that our Commonwealth links are stronger than ever before.

Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that it was absolutely clear at the recent Common, wealth Parliamentary Association Conference in London that there is still tremendous enthusiasm for the Commonwealth and furthermore, that most of the delegations there not only understood Britain's decision to join the EEC but accepted in full our right to be an independent nation?

Lord Balniel

I attended that conference, and I can underline and reinforce every word of what my hon. Friend has said.

Sir G. de Freitas

In view of the answer to Question No. 8, to the effect that the high commissioners do not advise local British firms about wages, will the Minister confirm that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office still receives regular reports from our high commissioners on the activities of British firms in those territories?

Lord Balniel

I really cannot see what that has got to do with the Question which I have just answered. If the hon. Gentleman had put the supplementary question to Question No. 8, my answer would have been "Yes."

Sir G. de Freitas

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.