Wilson’s E.E.C. pledge

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33712, 9 December 1974, Page 19

Wilson’s E.E.C. pledge

(N.Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright) , LONDON, December 8.

The British Prime Minister (Mr Wilson) premia ed last night to recomrriend Britain’s remaining in the European . Economic Community if the present talks in Brussels achieved the desired changes in her membership t(:rms.

But lie gave a warning that if; the renegotiations failed, !his Labour Government would not regard the Rome T reaty obligations as binding: upon it. “We j;hall then put to the British people the reasons why we find the new terms unacceptable, and consult them on the advisability of I negotiating our withdrawal

from the Community,’’ he said. Mr Wilson, who disclosed the conditions of Britain’s continued membership in a dinner speech to London Labour mayors, has had m the last week separate consultations with the West German Chancellor (Mr Schmidt) and President Giscard d’Estaing of France. On Monday and Tuesday he will attend the E.E.C. summit meeting in Paris with the Foreign Secretary (Mr James Callaghan) who has been leading the Market talks for Britain. Mr Wilson said that although the summit was not mainly about renegotiations, it was imperative that the other Market countries knew exactly where the British Government stood. It wanted the renegotiations to succeed, but only on terms good for Britain and Europe as a whole. These included: Major changes in the Common Agricultural Policy, “so that it ceases to be a threat to world trade in food products, and so that low-cost producers outside Europe can still have access to the British food market.” New methods of financing the Community’s budget, “so that Britain’s contribution is fair in relation to what is paid and received by member-coun-tries.”

Retention by the British Parliament of powers needed to pursue effective regional industrial and fiscal policies. Rejection of any international agreement compelling acceptance of increased unemployment for the sake of maintaining a fixed parity. An agreement on capital movements protecting Britain’s balance-of-payments and fullemployment policies. Better safeguards for the economic interests of Commonwealth and developing countries. No harmonisation of valueadded tax which would involve taxing necessities.

“Provided we get the right terms — but only if we get the right terms — I shall commend them to the British people, and recommend that we should stay in and play our full part in the development of the Community,” Mr Wilson declared. He said that it was in the interests of Britain and the other E.E.C. countries for the outstanding problems to be settled “with all reasonable urgency.” This could best be achieved if Ministers — the politicians with authority to move — took charge of the negotiations. Mr Wilson’s Government has pledged to consult the British people through the ballot-box by October 10 of

next year on whether Britain should, — or should not, — remain in the Market. This will probably be by way of a referendum.