HC Deb 28 July 1980 vol 989 cc496-7W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the interest of the United Kingdom and Europe in anchoring Portugal and Spain to democratic Western Europe as firmly as possible could be served by associate rather than full membership of the European Economic Community.

Sir Ian Gilmour

No. Both Portugal and Spain already have types of association agreements with the Community.

Since democracy was restored in those countries, both have decided to move forward from this position and have applied to join the Community as full members. We support them in this objective and see no reason why they should settle for less.