§ 45. Viscount Lambtonasked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to invite Commonwealth Governments to join the European Free Trade Association.
§ The Prime MinisterThe question of our commercial relations with the countries of the Commonwealth, the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community has of course been a subject of discussion for some time. While I hope and believe that progress can be made in bringing these systems into harmony, I do not believe that my hon. Friend's suggestion of an amalgamation between the European Free Trade Association and the Commonwealth systems is practicable, having regard to the very different economic circumstances of the various countries of the Commonwealth and those of the Association.