HC Deb 07 May 1951 vol 487 cc179-80W
59. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to make a statement about the invitation from the French Government asking His Majesty's Government to attend talks on the proposed European agricultural pool.

Mr. Younger

Yes. His Majesty's Government consider that the proposals of the French Government should be examined in detail before decisions on them are taken by governments. This examination would in their view be most conveniently conducted by the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation, which is technically equipped for such a task, and is already engaged in studying methods of increasing agricultural production in Europe, including organised marketing arrangements.

If the examination of the French Government's proposals were entrusted to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, His Majesty's Government would be glad to take part in it. Until they have been fully examined, His Majesty's Government would consider it premature to express any opinion as to their merits. A reply in this sense has been sent to the French Government's invitation.