ABSTRACT

The British application for membership of the European Community which was made on 11 May, 1967 led over three years later to the negotiations which began in June 1970 and ended in January 1972. The application of 11 May, 1967, was preceded by the then Prime Minister's statement in the House of Commons of 2 May, which declared the Government's decision to apply for membership of the Community; and by the vote of the House of Commons of 10 May, 1967, at the end of a three-day debate. The application of May 1967 was rebuffed; and the door the British Government had attempted once again to open remained closed. In the new circumstances, the Community's desultory consideration of the problem proceeded. At Luxembourg on 30 June negotiations opened, at a formal session attended by the Community and the four candidate states. The Foreign Secretary attended the meeting; Mr. Barber made the British Government's opening statement.