§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Commonwealth countries which have been consulted over the EEC renegotiation and indicate the territories which have stated the view that Great Britain should remain a member of the European Community.
§ Mr. Hattersley:My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 18th March that practically all the members of the Commonwealth, deciding on the basis of their own interests and what is good for them, want Britain to stay in the Community. Her Majesty's Government and the New Zealand Government were in close consultation before the Dublin Heads of Government meeting on 9th-10th March about access for New Zealand butter and cheese. We have been in constant touch with Commonwealth Governments on all issues which concerned them, especially those who signed the Lome Convention. However, we have had no formal consultations with Commonwealth Governments about the question of British membership and I cannot give details of views expressed in confidential exchanges.