§ 29. Mr. Spearingasked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects to make a statement concerning his recent official visits to Governments of various member States of the EEC.
§ Sir Ian GilmourMy round of visits is not complete. I have so far visited Rome, The Hague, Luxembourg and Brussels. I shall be visiting West Germany tomorrow and the remaining Community countries next week.
I have at present no plans to make a statement to the House. I can, however, say now that I am not discouraged by my discussions so far.
§ Mr. SpearingIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that yesterday when he was at the EEC Council his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in answer to a question from me, changed her objective of £1,000 million to "vastly increased receipts"? Can he tell the House what that figure is?
§ Sir I. GilmourThe hon. Gentleman's premise is wrong and I therefore cannot answer the question. After Dublin, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made it clear that it was the Government's policy to seek a genuine compromise with our partners and she added that we had little room for manoeuvre. At a time when the Government are pursuing negotiations, it is quite impossible to give figures or disclose our exact negotiating position.