Early Analysis Of E.E.C. Bid

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31317, 13 March 1967, Page 13

Early Analysis Of E.E.C. Bid

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copi/right.)

LONDON, March 12.

The Prime Minister, Mr Harold Wilson, is due to give Cabinet a detailed analysis before the Easter Parliamentary holiday beginning on March 23 of his European tour to probe the chances of Britain joining the Common Market.

This will give his Ministers time to carefully study the wealth of information gathered by Mr Wilson and the Foreign Secretary, Mr George Brown, before holding a series of Cabinet meetings after the Parliamentary recess ends on April 4. The purpose of these meetings would be to decide whether to open formal entry negotiations. Diplomatic observers said that, barring any unforeseen hitches and in spite of some opposition in sections of the Labour Party, it was extremely likely that the CabI et would favour another attempt by Britain to enter the Common Market.

Mr Wilson told Parliament on Thursday he did not think any final decision on whether

to apply for membership under article 237 of the Rome Treaty, which established the Common Market 10 years ago, would be taken before next May. In any case the outcome of the “Kennedy Round” of world-wide tariff cutting negotiations at Geneva would be an important factor in the British Cabinet’s assessment of Mr Wilson’s probing tour of the six Common Market capitals. An informed British official said he was “irrationally optimistic” about Britain’s prospects for joining the “Six.” But the British side remains fully conscious of the fact that President de Gaulle, who vetoed the first entry attempt in January, 1963, still has strong reservations about British membership.