§ Q2. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister when he next hopes to have an official meeting with M. Pompidou.
§ Q6. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Prime Minister what further plans he has to meet the President of France.
§ The Prime MinisterI am looking forward to another meeting with President Pompidou soon but am not yet in a position to name any dates.
§ Mr. DalyellThe Prime Minister says that he has been in touch with other Governments. Has there been any harmonisation with the Government of France on the supply of arms to the Middle East?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I think that the Community countries are in all circumstances following the same policy.
§ Mr. CoxIs the Prime Minister aware that when that meeting takes place he can speak with the full-hearted consent of the British people in telling the French 405 President that Britain is totally disillusioned with the European Common Market? Is he further aware that, whatever dream world the Prime Minister may live in, to the people of the United Kingdom Europe means increased prices? What action will he take to fight for a change in the financing of the common agricultural policy?
§ The Prime MinisterFortunately, President Pompidou is not so ill-informed as is the hon. Gentleman. The increase in prices arising from our membership of the European Community is not yet 1 per cent.
§ Sir Gilbert LongdenWhen my right hon. Friend sees President Pompidou, will he do what he can to ensure that our defence co-operation with France is kept as close as possible? Is there any possibility of France rejoining NATO?
§ The Prime MinisterFrance remains a member of the Alliance. Any question of her rejoining NATO is entirely a matter for the French Government. The French Government know very well that, naturally, other members of NATO would like France to rejoin.
§ Mr. SteelIn his conversations with the French President, will the Prime Minister raise the question of the Common Market's sugar imports and impress upon the President that many people in this country consider that one of the most useful ways of helping the underdeveloped countries is for the Community to use its considerable economic power to assist in increasing imports?
§ The Prime MinisterThe French President realises full well the importance for the developing Commonwealth countries of the arrangement of 1.4 million tons which is included in the Commission's proposals.
§ Mr. ShoreIs this not just a question of the 1.4 million tons but also of how much the EEC itself exports in competition with the exports of developing countries in the world market?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is bound to be one aspect of it. In negotiations we have been concerned with the arrangement for the developing Commonwealth countries. They have accepted the 406 arrangement and they affirmed this to me during the Heads of Government meeting in Ottawa. The general Community policy on sugar—both beet and cane—is a matter for the Council of Ministers.