§ Mr. Henigasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish an official Blue Book containing details of the Brussels negotiations 1961–63 for British entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PadleyNo.
§ Mr. Henigasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what contacts Her Majesty's Government is keeping with the Austrian Government during their negotiations for association with the European Economic Community; whether it is Her Majesty's Government's policy, on a satisfactory conclusion being reached in these negotiations, to agree to a waiver of the European Free Trade Association's rule requiring 12 months' notice of a withdrawal; and whether he will make a statement of the effects on British interests of Austria's switching from the European Free Trade Association to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PadleyThe Government are in contact with the Government of Austria through normal diplomatic channels as well as meetings of the European Free Trade Association. The Austrian Government have not indicated to us that they intend to request a waiver of the twelve-month rule. It remains conceivable that Austria could achieve some form of dual membership or association. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) on 23rd May, we should regard this solution as happier than some others.—[Vol. 729, c.25.]