§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can make a statement as to Britain's entry into the Common Market.]
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister answered Questions on this subject in another place on April 25 and May 9. He said that we are actively engaged in seeking a solution of the differences between the E.F.T.A. and the E.E.C. and that he had been encouraged by his exchange of views with President Kennedy. But he stressed that it is a very difficult and complicated matter and that we have very great interests to consider, in honour and duty—our obligations to the Commonwealth, which date from longstanding arrangements; our obligations to our own agriculture, and, of course, our obligations to our partners in E.F.T.A. Satisfactory arrangements in respect of these interests were a pre-condition of any closer association with E.E.C. He said that he had always felt that we should pursue, at least for the time being, the kind of informal discussions which are going on, in order to see whether there was a basis for a successful negotiation. He would be very unhappy if formal negotiations were started which led to no result. He drew attention also to the importance of a political will to bring about a solution. Given that, a way would be found round the economic difficulties.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that a good many people would be glad if Her Majesty's Government could have the best of three worlds? Could he in some way accelerate an answer to this problem, because there is much anxiety in agriculture and in the Commonwealth?
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I do not know what I can do to accelerate an answer, but I appreciate the desirability of arriving at one.
LORD REAMy Lords, would the noble and learned Viscount the Leader of the House confirm or deny that the Commonwealth Prime Ministers have indicated that they have no objection in principle to this country taking steps towards entry into the Common Market?
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I think that I should like to see that question on the Order Paper.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, could the noble Viscount the Leader of the House give us an assurance that Parliament, including your Lordships' House, will have an opportunity of debating the possible effects on the Commonwealth and agriculture before we are faced by the Government with a position which virtually cannot be amended—that is to say, could we have pre-discussion before conclusions are come to by the Government?
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I should have thought that quite certainly we should do.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that in this very important matter there are two apparently almost equi-balanced positions? One is the economic position, and the other is the political position. The political position has repercussions in regard to our general foreign policy and in regard to who shall decide it in future, especially in relation to European matters. It will include partly the economic principles and foreign affairs matters to be considered jointly by us and the Commonwealth. This is a particularly difficult subject, and some of us—I am not speaking for my Party, but for myself—hope it is not true that the Prime Minister is already pledged to the President of the United States of America that we should go in.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I think that my right honourable friend made that clear in his answer, to which I referred in my original reply.