HC Deb 31 January 1972 vol 830 c52W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the basis of what evidence the Government have concluded that the growth of underlying competitiveness of the British economy will be such as to enable the United Kingdom to accommodate over the next decade the balance of payments cost of entry to the European Economic Community.

Mr. Higgins

The reasons for the Government's confidence in our ability to meet these costs as they build up gradually were explained in Cmnd. 4715 and in my right hon. Friend's speeches of 26th July and 27th October, 1971. British industry in general shares the Government's view.