HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc188-9W
Q16. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister if he will state which Ministers will be responsible for negotiations in the event of Her Majesty's Government's application for entry into the European Economic Community being accepted.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend may now have seen the following announcement which was issued during the recess.The Prime Minister has made the following arrangements for the conduct of negotiations in connexion with our application for membership of the European Economic Community, European Steel Community and Euratom. The Foreign Secretary, in consultation with the Prime Minister, will be in general charge of the negotiations. Standing arrangements will be made for the Foreign Secretary to co-ordinate the work of the Ministers and Departments concerned in preparing for the negotiations, and he—and other Ministers as required—will take part in the actual discussions. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord Chalfont) will be responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the negotiations and will be supported by an official delegation headed by Sir Con O'Neill. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mulley) will take over Lord Chalfont's present duties in connexion with the disarmament negotiations and responsibility within the Foregn Office for defence questions in addition to his existing dutes.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Prime Minister whether, during his negotiations for Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will ensure that Article 240 of the Treaty of Rome is amended to enable a vote of the Parliament of Westminster to sanction Britain's leaving the European Economic Community if a future British Government so desires.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Statement of Her Majesty's Government's attitude to the Treaty of Rome which I made on 2nd May.—[Vol. 746, c. 310–14.]