§ 56. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the talks in Paris a few weeks ago on the future relations between the United Kingdom and the European Coal and Steel Community.
§ Lord John HopeIt was originally intended that M. Monnet, the President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, would come to London in July for talks with Her Majesty's Government; but M. Monnet fell ill in June and these talks had to be postponed. In the meantime, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government (formerly the Minister of Supply) has had preliminary and informal discussions in Paris with the President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community to pave the way for the London talks.
These preliminary and informal discussions resulted in the preparation of a draft agreement which is at present being considered by Her Majesty's Government on the one hand and by the High Authority and the Council of Ministers of the Community on the other, I understand that the next meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community, at which this draft will be discussed, will take place on 22nd November. I hope that, when this draft agreement has been further considered by both sides, the President of the High Authority will come to London for the postponed talks and that these talks will result in the signature of an agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the European Coal and Steel Community.