PRO-EUROPEANS IN KEY POSTS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30678, 18 February 1965, Page 13

PRO-EUROPEANS IN KEY POSTS

(N.Z.PA.- Reuter —Copyright;

LONDON, February 17.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home last night reshuffled the Conservative Party’s Shadow Cabinet to give key jobs to three leading pro-Europeans.

His changes underline a revival of his party’s policy towards Europe, expressed in a week-end speech stressing that Britain must play her role in shaping Europe’s future.

The Prime Minister (Mr Wilson) made it plain yesterday that the Labour Government is not thinking of making any immediate new approach to join the European Common Market.

He told Parliament that his Government would be prepared to negotiate “if, and only if, the necessary conditions relating to essential British and Commonwealth interests would be fulfilled.” British sales to the European Common Market countries have doubled in the last five years, and sales to the whole of Western Europe now account for 38 per cent of total exports, compared with 28 per cent 10 years ago.

Exports to the Common Market countries suffered a slight check last year, increasing in value by only 2 per cent, but sales to the European Free Trade Association countries increased by 11 per cent over 1963. The new shadow Foreign Secretary, Mr Reginald Maudling, aged 47, played a big part in forming the European Free Trade Association. He replaces Mr R. A. Butler, who is giving up politics for an academic career. Mr Maudling’s position as chief economic spokesman is being taken over by Mr Edward Heath, aged 48, who was the chief negotiator in Britain’s abortive bid to join the European Common Market in 1963.

The third key job, spokesman on defence policy, has

been given to Mr Christopher Soames, aged 44, a son-in-law of the late Sir Winston Churchill.

Mr Peter Thorneycroft becomes spokesman on Home Office matters instead of defence, Sir Edward Boyle spokesman on education and science, and Sir Martin Redmayne on agriculture. Mr Quintin Hogg will be the Opposition’s “trouble-shooter” on selected issues.

The changes preserve the careful balance between Mr Heath and Mr Maudling—the two leading contenders to succeed Sir Alec DouglasHome as Conservative Party leader.

THE BRITISH Cabinet is expected to decide during the week—possibly on Thursday —on the timing of a cut in the controversial 15 per cent surcharge on industrial imports.