1.
PALACE WHERE MEETING HELD
0.04

2.
THREE DELEGATES ARRIVE
0.07

3.
MINISTERS ARRIVING
0.11

4.
ANOTHER GROUP OF DELEGATES ARRIVE
0.18

5.
BRITISH DELEGATION (MAUDLING AND HEATH) ARRIVE
0.21

6.
SWISS DELEGATION
0.26

7.
EXTERIOR OF PALACE
0.29



Initials EHR/S/WH/FW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION ("THE SEVEN") HELD A MINISTERIAL MEETING IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, JULY 28. IT WAS ATTENDED BY TWO BRITISH MINISTERS - PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE REGINALD MAUDLING, AND LORD PRIVY SEAL EDWARD HEATH - TO EXPLAIN BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE TO THE OTHER EUROPEAN TRADING GROUP, THE COMMON MARKET ("THE SIX").

NEITHER MINISTER GAVE THE SLIGHTEST HINT OF WHAT LINE HE WAS TAKING. A COMMUNIQUE AFTERWARDS SAID ONLY THAT FURTHER CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS.

THE DELEGATES HAVE AGREED TO SAY NOTHING UNTIL AFTER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER HAROLD MACMILLAN MAKES HIS EAGERLY AWAITED STATEMENT IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT ON JULY 31. HE IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT BRITAIN IS TO OPEN FORMAL NEGOTIATIONS FOR ENTRY INTO THE COMMON MARKET.