§ 26. Mr. Grimondasked the Lord Privy Seal what further steps he proposes to take to ensure that there is intimate consultation between Great Britain and the European Economic Community, in view of the recent deadlock over this question between France and Germany.
§ Mr. HeathCertain proposals by the member Governments of the Community for consultation through Ministerial Meetings of Western European Union have now been communicated to Her Majesty's Government and are at present under examination. We welcome the idea of quarterly Ministerial meetings of Western European Union in its own right. Indeed, I again suggested it at the Western European Union Assembly in Paris on 5th June. Such meetings can provide a useful means of maintaining continuous political and economic consultation between the United Kingdom and the members of the Community. Until the proposals have been investigated further, however, it would be premature to say whether they will provide the close working consultation with the Community which we are also seeking.