HC Deb 05 November 1962 vol 666 cc22-3W
55. Mr. Oram

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the recent meeting in Oslo of the Council of the European Free Trade Association.

Mr. Heath

Ministers reviewed developments within the Association, which is working well. By 31st December, intra-European Free Trade Association tariffs will have been reduced by 50 per cent., two and a half years ahead of the timetable in the Stockholm Convention. We had a full exchange of views on the objectives of the members in their respective discussions with the European Economic Community. Ministers agreed on the importance of maintaining the momentum in negotiating for solutions for all the members, as envisaged in the London communiqué and the Geneva Declaration.