The Press TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1971 Britain in Europe: Mr Heath yields

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32639, 22 June 1971, Page 16

The Press TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1971 Britain in Europe: Mr Heath yields

The British Prime Minister, Mr Heath, has apparently yielded to pressure from senior members of the Cabinet on the timing of a debate in Parliament on the question of Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community. Mr Heath had wanted a decision in principle on tie terms of entry by the end of July. Some Ministers had argued that November would not only be more suitable, but would also assure the Government of more support for entry than it might get in July. Their views have obviously prevailed. Mr Heath has now said that the decisive debate will be held either in September or October.

In view of the growing strength of the antiMarket movement, in his own party as well as in the ranks of the Opposition, Mr Heath cannot afford to ignore Labour allegations that he is trying to “bounce” Britain into Europe. He concedes that adequate opportunity must be given for debate on the conditions of entry. That requirement would not be met by a July vote, even assuming that Britain’s chief negotiator, Mr Rippon, can quickly come to terms with the Six. The Prime Minister has now conceded that Parliament’s examination of the terms “ will obviously last a long time Campaigning in the important Macclesfield by-election can hardly fail to add to the Government’s embarrassment A convinced anti-Marketeer, Mr Nicholas Winterton, is the Conservative candidate; his Labour opponent, Mrs Dinah Jeuda, is no less violently opposed to entry. Both are making the question a major campaign issue. Regardless of how the voting goes, the result is likely to be interpreted as a sign of public opposition to entry. Should the Macclesfield poll confirm the findings of recent public opinion polls, which show the electorate 60-40 against entry, delay until October may be dangerous, and possibly fatal, to Mr Heath’s hopes. He will simply have to take that risk. The Prime Minister has other things to take into account Opposition to entry in the Labour Party is hardening; and a special party conference to discuss the issue is being urged by some members. There might well be a demand for a free vote when Parliament does debate entry, although the Prime Minister has already rejected that idea. Mr Heath must find the prospect of a substantial Tory-Labour alliance against him very disturbing. He must find equally disturbing the possibility, at the annual conference of the Labour Party in October, of a Labour commitment to withdraw from the Treaty of Rome should the party become the next Government