BRIEF NO. G.1
CONFIDENTIAL
8/2.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO THE FAR EAST
FEBRUARY - MARCH, 1967
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
PART I GENERAL
Talking points for use with Ministers and Officials
You know what our policy is on this; it is that we would be
ready to enter the E.E.C. provided essential British and
Commonwealth interests were safeguarded. We have kept you fully
informed about recent developments and I do not therefore propose
to cover ground already familiar to you.
My intention rather
is to draw your attention to a few salient points.
2.
Following the Prime Minister's statement on 10 November
announcing that he and the Foreign Secretary proposed to conduct
a series of exploratory discussions with the Heads of Government
of the Six, there was a two-day debate in the House of Commons
on 16 and 17 November. This showed that there was broad
agreement that Britain should enter the Community provided that
the terms were right, i.e. that essential British and Commonwealth
interests must be safeguarded. There were, of course, dissenting
voices. But a national debate has begun and it is right that
all points of view should be thoroughly aired. Meanwhile,
Government policy on the issue is supported by the Conservative
and Liberal Parties.
3. We have given you a very full account of the discussions in
each of the Community capitals so far visited. We knew in
advance that the Five fully supported British entry into the
Community and would be sympathetic and helpful on those aspects
of membership which present special difficulties for us.
the key discussions were those with President de Gaulle and
French Ministers. You will know from the account which we have
given you that the French were non-committal.
Thus,
Nevertheless,
/the
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