HC Deb 21 July 1969 vol 787 cc239-40W
46. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will withdraw Great Britain's application to join the Common Market, pending the determination of the future of the common agricultural policy.

Mr. M. Stewart

No.

51. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a further statement about the progress of Great Britain's application to join the Common Market.

57. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position of Great Britain's application to join the Common Market.

Mr. M. Stewart

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Members for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), Banbury (Mr. Marten) and Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths).

52. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Brussels to discuss matters connected with Great Britain's application to join the Common Market; to what extent his talks there concerned the foreign exchange costs to Great Britain of joining the Community; and whether the effects on agriculture and food prices were also discussed.

Mr. M. Stewart

During my visit to Brussels on 14th and 15th July, I had conversations with the Belgian Foreign Minister, met M. Rey and Dr. Mansholt, and attended a meeting of M. Monnet's Action Committee. The contents of the discussions are confidential, but I can confirm that discussions in the Action Committee included consideration of a report by M. Pisani on the agricultural problems involved in British membership of the Common Market.

55. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from countries in the European Economic Community that Great Britain should join in forming a Federal Europe.

Mr. Mulley

We have received no representations, but we continue to discuss with our European partners questions relating to the building of European unity.

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to him since devaluation by the countries of the Commonwealth on the subject of the United Kingdom application to join the Common Market; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. M. Stewart

Exchanges between Her Majesty's Government and other Commonwealth Governments are confidential, but I can confirm that the question of Commonwealth interests involved in British membership of the European Economic Community has been discussed from time to time since November, 1967, both with individual countries and during the Commonwealth Prime Minister's meeting in January.