U.K. ‘Not Certain’ To Join E.E.C.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29717, 10 January 1962, Page 11

U.K. ‘Not Certain’ To Join E.E.C.

(N .Z .-Rea ter—Copprio Kt) NEW YORK, January 9. Britain was not certain to enter the European Common Market, the British Lord Privy Seal (Mr Edward Heath) said yesterday. “There can be no question of our going in at any price,” he told the New York Overseas Press Club.

Two of the conditions which Britain would have to consider before joining the European group were the effect on the Commonwealth countries and also on the other members of the European Free Trade Association —the "Outer Seven.” Mr Heath, who is in North America tor talks with United States and Canadian leaders, is the British Minister most closely concerned with negotiations on the Common Market. Members’ Concern He said Britain was aware of the concern of the Commonwealth members for Britain’s future trading role. Some countries, like New Zealand, sold 60 per cent of their exports to Britain. ‘‘Commonwealth trade is one of the strongest elements in maintaining the Commonwealth Association and the economies of most Commonwealth countries have been built up on the basis of sup-

plying the British market,” he said. “If we went into the European community without safeguarding these interests, we could do the Commonwealth such damage that it would be fatally weakened, to the great lose of the West” He also reminded the audience that Britain bad treaty commatmenta with the other members of the European Free Trade Association which could not be overlooked. "We greatly hope, therefore, that it will be possible to meet the legitimate interests of all our E.F.T.A. partners; and. as I have said, it will not be possible for us to join the Common Market unices this is done.” Mr Heath admitted that ‘‘a common agricultural policy within the Common Market posed problems for Britain.” “Our system of support relies mainly on Exchequer payments to ensure our farmers’ standards of living,” he said. Fears “Groundless” Mr Heath said that American fears that the growth of the Common Market would hurt the United States economy were groundless. “It is our belief that in the long term the United States,

together with other third countries, can only benefit from the creation of an economically powerful Europe and the inereaang demand for their products that wdl develop as standards of living rise,” Mr Heath said. The "New York Heraud Tribune" said it was obvious that Mr Heath's visit was to ‘ sell” Canada and the United States on the idea tbet Britain was safeguarding the interests of both white negotiating for Common Market membership. Mr Heath declared that there would “undoubtedly be tough and closely -argued discussions'’ before Britain was able to enter the Common Market. “It can hardly be otherwise," he said, "because what is at stake is the reconciliation of the continued development of a European community with the maintenance of essential interests of the Commonwealth and the position of third countries” Mr Heath reiterated what he said in Canada last week, that the negotiations for Britain’a entry into the Common Market were “the moat constructive and purposeful enterprise in the field of foreign affairs today."