§ 26. Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the United States Government about Great Britain's future in the European Community.
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Mr. James CallaghanI have had no formal consultations with the United States Government on this matter but they are, of course, fully aware of the reasons for our renegotiation of the terms of entry and of our decision to put the matter to a referendum.
§ 38. Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Commonwealth Governments associated with the European Economic Community have signified their intention to sever their relationship with the EEC if Great Britain decides to end its membership.
§ 40. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Commonwealth Governments which are now associated with the EEC have indicated that they would end their present trade relationships with the United Kingdom in the event of our withdrawal from the EEC.
§ Mr. HattersleyNone of the Commonwealth Governments who will be signatories to the Lomé Convention have signified anything officially to us about their relationships with either the United Kingdom or the EEC in the event of our withdrawal from the EEC.
§ 41. Dr. J. Dickson Mabonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had about a possible free trade agreement with the EEC should Great Britain decide to withdraw; and what his assessment is of this alternative to continued membership.
§ 42. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the prospects of entering into a free trade agreement with the European Economic Community if Great Britain chooses to withdraw from the EEC.
§ Mr. HattersleyNo such discussions have taken place with the Community because the Government are working for a successful outcome to renegotiation. For the same reason it would be premature and inappropriate to express a view about possible alternative trading arrangements with the EEC.
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§ 43. Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the Canadian Government relative to Great Britain's membership of the European Community.
§ Mr. HattersleyWhen my right hon. Friend accompanied my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to Ottawa last month he had a general discussion with the Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs concerning relations between Canada and the EEC.