§ 7. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will next meet the French Foreign Minister.
§ Dr. OwenMy right hon. Friend next expects to meet the French Foreign Minister at the European Economic Community Council of Ministers meeting on 18th January.
§ Mr. MartenI wish the Foreign Secretary the best of British luck during his chairmanship of the Council of Ministers. May I suggest that he might think of getting together with our French friends and giving a clear lead to saying that the British and French want neither more centralisation in the Common Market nor any step taken which would lead us down the road to a federal State? If he did that, it would not only be a very good move but would be very popular in this country.
§ Dr. OwenThe hon. Gentleman has his well-known views on the European Community. The issues that he raises concerning centralisation and a federal State have been discussed many times. It is possible to be a strong supporter of the European Community, as I am, and a strong believer in decentralisation, which I also am.
§ Mr. NewensWhen my right hon. Friend next meets the French Foreign Secretary, will he raise with him the question of securing full co-operation on our policy of refusing to supply arms to South Africa?
§ Dr. OwenHer Majesty's Government's views on the supply of arms to South Africa are well known, as are the views of the French Government. These subjects can be raised in normal bilateral discussions, but I do not think that there is any doubt among the French Government of our views on this issue. We continue to espouse our cause and argue it where appropriate.
§ Mr. AdleyAs is predictable, the American anti-Concorde industry is 653 hotting up its activities in anticipation of the forthcoming hearings in New York. Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate to his French colleagues the vital importance of the British and French Governments remaining in the closest possible contact and co-ordinating their policy on Concorde in the representations they will shortly have to make to the incoming American Government?