asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at Birmingham on 27th January about the Common Market represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes, Sir.

In that case, why was the Leader of the House authorised to put forward proposals made by the Lord Privy Seal last October which have since been rejected by the Six? For instance, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the suggestion that less developed Commonwealth countries and still dependent territories should be associated with the Common Market on terms similar to those of former French overseas territories was made in the January talks and rejected out of hand? Why persist with this kind of thing?

I have read the speech carefully and I can see nothing in it which is out of line with the Government's policy.