‘HARSH LINE ON E.E.C. REBELS’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31362, 6 May 1967, Page 13

‘HARSH LINE ON E.E.C. REBELS’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, May 5. The British Labour Government will take a harsh line against any rebels who vote against its decision to seek Common Market membership, party sources said in London last night. They said the issue would be regarded as a vote of confidence when the House of Commons ended its three-day debate next Wednesday.

By yesterday 74 party critics had signed a statement bitterly attacking the Government. They urged that it should instead seek to promote wider co-operation between East and West Europe through the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. But most of the critics—led by the veteran former Defence Minister, Mr Emanuel Shinwell—are thought likely to register their protests by abstaining in the vote, and so avoiding the risk of expulsion from the Parliamentary party.

20 Conservatives Mr Edward Heath’s Conservative Opposition Party also has about 20 back-bench critics of the Common Market decision, but indications were tonight that the party would not put maximum pressure on them to vote. The Government motion—seeking endorsement for Mr Wilson’s statement last Tuesday announcing the Government’s decision—is expected to be supported by at least 500 of the 630 members of Parliament. Mr Wilson is -u open

the debate on Monday with a long survey of the economic and political reasons behind the new British application for entry negotiations. Mr Heath, who led the previous abortive negotiations, will speak the next day. ‘No French Veto’ The top French financial expert, Mr Valery Giscard d’Estaing was quoted today as saying that President de Gaulle would not veto Britain’s new entry bid. The former Finance Minister and leader of the Independent Gaullist Party had given a boost to Britain’s hopes of joining the sixnation community, the “Daily Mail” newspaper said in a front-page report. Mr d’Estaing, who visited London yesterday, was reported to have told a reporter from the newspaper: “De Gaulle will definitely not veto Britain’s entry this time. “There is no doubt de Gaulle believes Britain will go in.” The “Daily Mail,” in a front-page report, said Mr d’Estaing, who had a 45minute talk with the Foreign Secretary, Mr George Brown, was tipped by some as President de Gaulle’s successor. The newspaper’s correspondent, lan Mather, reported that Mr d’Estaing told him: “If, once the negotiations are complete, the terms are acceptable to France’s five partners, France will not stand in the way.” The acting president of the Common Market’s executive commission, Mr Lionello Levi Sandri, said in Brussels the problems of Britain’s entry, mentioned by Mr Wilson, could be solved in conform-

ity with the Rome Treaty. Mr Levi Sandri said in a statement he had learned of Britain’s decision to apply for membership with great interest and profound satisfaction. In London, Mr Fred Mulley, the Minister with special responsibility for Europe, said Britain’s application to join the Common Market was more likely to succeed than not. Mulley Hopeful Speaking at a meeting organised by two pro-Euro-pean organisations, Mr Mulley said: “We in the Government, and I believe the British people generally, are optimistic about the successful outcome of this new initiative. “We would not have ventured on this course if we had not very good expectations of it being successful.” He described Britain’s chances of joining as “odds-

Mr Mulley will be closely concerned with Britain’s entry negotiations.