§ 12. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the Council of Europe and Western European Union.
§ Mr. PadleyHer Majesty's Government will continue to play a full part in the European organisations of which this country is a member and will seek to promote closer European co-operation. The Council of Europe, with its comprehensive membership, has an important part to play in developing such co-operation on the widest possible basis. In Western European Union, apart from the functions conferred on it in the defence field by the revised Brussels Treaty, we seek to harmonise policies on matters of common concern, and to maintain close links on economic matters with the members of the European Economic Community.