Orders of the Day — European Economic Community

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 January 1971.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Douglas Jay Mr Douglas Jay , Battersea North 12:00, 21 January 1971

—the truth is that growth in the Six has been slower since the Treaty of Rome was signed than it was before. At the same time, in the O.E.C.D. countries other than the Six, growth has more than doubled in the years since the Treaty was signed. Indeed, in the E.F.T.A. countries other than the United Kingdom, growth has been faster since the Treaty of Rome was signed. Our future growth will depend on our balance of payments and our freedom to alter our exchange rates when we wish to do so, and both of these would be jeopardised by our joining the E.E.C.