Wilson seeks assurance

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32613, 22 May 1971, Page 17

Wilson seeks assurance

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, May 21. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Harold Wilson) gave a warning in the House of Commons yesterday against the Prime Minister’s committing Britain to any special defence deal with France, or nuclear pooling, to ease British entry into the i Common Market. Mr Wilson sought a Government assurance on • these points when referring : to Mr Heath’s talks in Paris ■with President Pompidou. ; "Can we be sure that the Prime Minister will not

enter into any commitment about nuclear pooling, about any special, bilateral defence relationships with France, or give any hint that these may be part of an ultimate deal,” Mr Wilson asked, adding: “This is of fundamental importance to the House’s attitude to this matter.” The Home ’ Secretary (Mr Reginald Maudling), deputising for Mr Heath, replied that as the talks were now proceeding, as the agenda was confidential, and as the Prime Minister would be making a Parliamentary statement on his return, it would be wrong for him to answer Mr Wilson’s question now. There was laughter when a Labour M.P., Mr Dennis Skinner, attempted to ques-

tion Mr Maudling in French. “Est-ce que le Premier ...” he began before the Speaker (Mr Selwyn Lloyd) told him: "Try again, in another language.” "Oh,” replied Mr Skinner, “I was only trying to explain to the - House, particularly to those pro-Euro-peans in it, that, as a result of the remarks of Mr Pompidou last night, I am merely asking whether the Prime Minister took any French lessons before he met Mr Pompidou in Paris.” Mr Maudling replied coldly: “I think that the Prime Minister is fully briefed on every aspect of the problem.” Mr Skinner was referring to Mr Pompidou’s expressed wishes that French would

remain the principal working language in Common Market affairs if Britain became a member. Speaking at a luncheon given in London by the Cocoa, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr James Prior) said: “People who are always talking about the pitfalls for Britain if she joins the Common Market have very little to say about the dangers of not going in. “If we fail to get reasonable terms now, and don’t go in, I think we have to be very careful we don’t find ourselves in a considerably worse situation as each year goes by.” The big problem now, he added, was to protect the interest of the New Zealand dairy farmers. Opinion polls Today’s “Daily Telegraph,” under the headline, “Ray of Hope in Paris Blackout” says that the Paris talks are relaxed and friendly. It adds that substantial progress has been made on key issues, and that today’s talks would be concerned with a technical discussion of points already covered generally. The “Daily Telegraph” discloses that a special survey made for the newspaper earlier this month showed that 53 per cent of the British public were still against joining the Common Market. Only 23 per cent were in favour, but the poll showed that .many more people were now at least convinced that Britain would join. i The “Daily Express,” which firmly opposes British entry carries the story of the Paris talks well down on its front page, with the headline, "Heath Sits Entrance Exam.”

The London “Evening News*’ reports that its readers have polled 7616 votes to 258 against Britain joining the European Common Market.

The result emerged from a week-long poll among readers in London and South-east England. But only a fraction of the paper’s readership of more than one million replied to the poll. The “Evening News” says: "The result illustrates one fact above all others: Whatever the merits or demerits of joining the Common Market, the pro-Marketeers have failed to put their case across.

"Another factor emerges also. It is that the Common Market is a gut issue. It touches the latent fears. Like hanging. Like fluoridation. Like race. Those who oppose it are vocal; those who favour it, or are prepared to accept it, are silent.”