ATTITUDE TO E.E.C. Conservative group assures Govt

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32560, 20 March 1971, Page 17

ATTITUDE TO E.E.C. Conservative group assures Govt

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, March 19. Britain’s move to join the European Common Market had overwhelming support among members of the ruling Conservative Party in the House of Commons, the Government was assured tonight.

An influential Conservative, Sir Tufton Beamish, chairman of the Conservative Group for Europe, delivered this message for Ministers at a private meeting with Mr Francis Pym, Government Chief Whip in charge of party discipline in the Lower House.

Sir Tufton Beamish later told reporters that half the Conservative Parliamentary Party had joined the Conservative Group for Europe and that most of the those who did not belong were sympathetic to the pro-Market group’s aim in favour of the British membership applica-

tion. The group, he said was confident of overwhelming support in the Parliamentary party for Britain joining the market if it proved possible to obtain terms which the

Prime Minister (Mr Edward Heath) could confidently recommend to Parliament. ‘Explanations needed’ Sir Tufton Beamish also said that the group felt that there was an urgent need constantly to explain the long-term benefits of Common Market membership as regards Britain’s security, prosperity, and ability to influence events in Europe and beyond. He added: “We are sure that the more these matters are debated across the country, the more will public opin- ; ion swing in favour of Bri- ’ tain joining a larger and stronger Community, and the less will fear of change dominate the thinking of so many.” Sir Tufton Beamish was referring to national opinion polls which over recent months have shown a steady majority against Market membership. Only a small group among the 325 Conservative members of Parliament have actively campaigned against the application. The antiMarketeers include a former Minister, Mr Enoch Powell. Rippon in Commons Real progress on the Crucial issues of Britain’s bid to join the Common Market should be possible in May. the chief British negotiator, Mr Geoffrey Rippon told the House of Commons. “It is very important we should make substantial progress pretty quickly,” he said. Mr Rippon declined to blame France for the Community’s delays in putting forward “reasonable” proposals on main issues. These are Britain’s contribution to the Common Market budget, New Zealand dairy products and Commonwealth sugar.

The Opposition Labour spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Mr Denis Healey, accused France of paralysing the Brussels negotiations. He said that this was leading many objective observers to the conclusion that the French wanted to prevent Britain’s entry bid from succeeding for the third time. In the House of Lords, the

Opposition spokesman, Lord Shepherd, said that the British public were getting slightly restive. They felt the Six did not want Britain in. The exchanges came after Mr Rippon’s report to Par. liament on Tuesday’s Brussels meeting of Ministers. He said it was disappointing that no progress was made in the absence of proposals from the Community. But he thought the agreement that Ministers should meet for a longer period in May reflected the feeling that real progress should be possible that month. For the Conservative Govemment, Earl Jellicoe replied that the Brussels rhythm was traditionally rather slow. “This is something of a fact of life. It is not exceptionally surprising that, as we approach the heart of the negotiations, progress at times should appear to be rather slow,” he said. The Labour Opposition yesterday praised the Government's handling of vital Commonwealth issues at talks on joining the European Common Market but also gave a warning. The opposition party’s chief spokesman on the market, Mr Harold Lever, told the Government negotiator, Mr Geoffrey Rippon: “We welcome the firm position taken up on questions of New Zealand and (Commonwealth) sugar.” But the former Treasury Minister added: "What we will judge you on is not firm interim statements but firm actual deals upon all those subjects which satisfactorily protect the interest of New Zealand and the Caribbean countries." On his references to New Zealand in the Brussels talks, Mr Rippon reported that he had stressed that he was not

seeking special economic benefits for Britain but provisions for reasonable access by New Zealand for dairy products to the enlarged Community as a whole. “Nor were we seeking permanent arrangements for New Zealand's dairy produce, but continuing arrangements subject to review,” he said.