asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the position of the European Free Trade Association non-applicant countries in regard to separate trade agreements with the European Economic Community and the part being played by Her Majesty's Government in these negotiations.

Negotiations between the E.F.T.A. non-candidate countries and the Community began in December, 1971. The aim is that they should be completed by the middle of the year and that the agreements reached should come into force on 1st January, 1973. Her Majesty's Government are following closely the course of the negotiations and are represented as observers on the various negotiating bodies.