EUROPEAN FREE TRADE COMING
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THE European common market was one of the first pre-occupations of the new Cabinet this week, writes our • political correspondent. M. SRA, who is.the principal European spokesman of the common market, was in London to discuss with Mr. Macmillan the practical steps now . necessary to bring it into effect.
Europe has the treaty almost ready to sign. It is expected to be ratified by April or May.
It is noticeable that Mr. Macmillan has reshuffled his Cabinet to bring into the key posts of the Exchequer and the Board of Trade men, in Mr. Thorneycroft and Sir David Eccles, whoare enthusiasts for the free-trade area.
Leading members of the Cabinet fear the loss of a fifth of Britain's export trade if we stay out of the scheme, which will quickly embrace France, Italy, West Germany, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg, with the Scandinavian countries coming in later.