ILK. SUPPORTED BY SOCIALISTS

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31549, 11 December 1967, Page 13

ILK. SUPPORTED BY SOCIALISTS

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, December 10.

A one-day Socialist conference near London attended by leaders from 15 nations last night gave full backing for Britain’s application to join the European Common Market.

Officials at the conference —which was attended by five prime ministers, three deputy premiers and two foreign ministers said Britain should be content with nothing less than full membership. A discussion on the integration of Europe lasted more than four hours of the eight-and-a-half-hour meeting, which was held at “Chequers,” the country residence of the British Prime Minister, Mr Wilson. The discussion was opened by the British Foreign Minister, Mr George Brown, and Mr Willy Brandt, the West German Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister. Mr Wilson and Mr Brown made it clear that there had been no changes in Britain’s attitude to Common Market membership, and that Britain would not consider associate membership. The four other premiers at the conference were Messrs Jens Otto Krag (Denmark), Rafael Passio (Finland), Tage Erlander (Sweden), and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (Mauritius). The officials said the con-

ference, which was called by Mr Wilson and is one of periodic gatherings of leaders of the Socialist International, had comprehensive talks on East-West relations, including the Middle East situation and Vietnam. Other, countries represented were Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.