HC Deb 24 May 1968 vol 765 cc139-40W
Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the study of the North Atlantic Free Trade Area was started; when it ended; whether he will publish it; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. William Rodgers

As the Prime Minister said on 21st March, in reply to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) and the right hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton), the Government studied the possibility of a North Atlantic Free Trade Area before announcing our decision to apply for entry to the European Economic Community on 2nd May, 1967. All the considerations resulting from that study were presented to the House in the following debate.