HL Deb 14 November 1963 vol 253 cc121-3

2.53 p.m.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the statement of the Prime Minister on television on October 21 last that there is no question of our going into the European Economic Community means that they have now abandoned hope of our ever becoming a member of the Community, or whether, on the contrary, it is still their intention to become a member as soon as circumstances permit.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, what the Prime Minister in fact said in the broadcast on October 21 to which the noble Lord refers was: It is no use thinking in terms of applying for admission at the present time. What we have got to do is to maintain our contacts with Europe as closely as we can, but there is no question of us being able to go into the European Economic Community. This is a statement of how matters stand at the present time. The Government remain convinced, however, that the interests of Britain and of the West as a whole will be best served by the achievement of a wider political and economic unity in Europe in which Britain can play a full part.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, I should like to thank the Government for that reply, which satisfies any doubts I may have had as a result of this, on the face of it, rather categorical statement that it is their intention, in effect, to join the European Economic Community as soon as it is possible to do so.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, may I ask whether in fact the statement which has just been made means that, in addition to the statement about more free trade in EFTA, in respect of which the Government have made a reservation for the purpose of protecting British agriculture, they will take the same steps to protect the interests of our fellow citizens overseas in the Commonwealth?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I thought that what happened in the negotiations on the Common Market was evidence of that.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

It is very difficult to recognise.

LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETH

My Lords, as one who is in principle in favour of our entering the Common Market—on which there are differences of opinion in the Party to which I belong, as there are in the Party opposite—may I ask the Leader of the House whether, in view of the statement he has made, which I think is reasonably clear, the Government propose to make it clear in their Election manifesto at the General Election that they are still in favour of entering the Common Market?

LORD CARRINGTON

The noble Lord should not be so impatient.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, I would ask the noble Lord whether he accepts the exact interpretation put upon his reply by the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn?

LORD CARRINGTON

The exact interpretation of my reply is contained in the words which I used.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, would it not be possible during the course of to-day's debate for the Government to make quite clear why they did not actually join the Common Market? It has been hinted by Mr. Heath in another place that the terms did not suit them, whereas it was said before that the negotiations were practically concluded and only President de Gaulle stood in the way.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, at the time of the breakdown of the negotiations we had very full discussions in both Houses of Parliament on this subject, and if the noble Lord wants to raise it again to-day I shall do my best to answer him.