§ Q4. Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the state of Great Britain's negotiations for membership of the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the speeches by myself and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in the debate on the Address on 31st October and 2nd November.
§ Q8. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Prime Minister what plans he has for bringing the economy into fundamental equilibrium in advance of negotiations on 176W the British application to join the Common Market.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government has already taken the necessary measures to strengthen the domestic economy and the balance of payments and these are now beginning to bear fruit. Their effects will be increasingly apparent in the period ahead so that by the time the obligations of E.E.C. membership are assumed the economy and the external balance will be much stronger.
§ Q11. Mr. Englishasked the Prime Minister what study he has made of the facts given in the Atlantic Trade Study report, the Free Trade Area Option, published today, a copy of which was sent to him in advance; and if he will now consider further an Atlantic-based free trade area as an alternative to the United Kingdom's application to join the European Communities.
§ The Prime MinisterAll relevant facts in this matter have been and will continue to be studied. As to the second part of the Question I have nothing to add to my reply to a Supplementary Question by the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 26th October.—[Vol. 751, c. 1885–6.]
§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Prime Minister what recent conversations he has had with the German Chancellor and other heads of Governments of member countries of the European Economic Community concerning the entry of the United Kingdom into the Community; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the House knows I had a most helpful exchange of views with the Federal German Chancellor during his recent visit to this country and I look forward to discussions with the Prime Minister of Belgium who will be visiting us next week. In addition, of course, Her Majesty's Government are in frequent contact with the Governments of the Six.