§ 56. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he will not, during his 5W forthcoming negotiations on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, seek to negotiate a change in Article 48 of the Treaty so as to enable the free movement of workers within the Community to apply for employment in the public services.
§ Mr. George ThomsonWe have made clear that we accept the Treaties of the European Communities including Article 48 of the Treaty of Rome, and I see no reason why we should seek to negotiate the change which my hon. Friend has suggested.
§ 58. Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress made in respect of the Government's application for entry into the Common Market.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI would refer to the reply which I gave earlier today to Questions by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) and my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin).
§ Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the decision on supra-parliamentary powers agreed upon by the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community at its meetings ending during the weekend of 7th–8th February 1970; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) and my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall. North (Mr. Pardoe).