EICandCBI
Sir: Skinflint's observations on the EEC and CBI (May 18) are of particular interest as, ever since the beginning of the 'great debate' in 197!, I have been arguing against Britain s membership of the Community "on the terms negotiated" both within the CR and without. Moreover I find it hard to believe that I am the only one of the
view.
1.0,000 plus members who take this Therefore it'is encouraging to read that such heavyweights of industry as Sir Arnold Weinstock and MrJim Slater do not share the CBI's evangelistic enthusiasm for the EEC. Moreover they are in good company with people like Sir George Dowty and Sir John Hunter (to name but two) who have made no secret of their dislike of manY aspects of British membership of the Community. Just why the CBI is so blind in its devotion to the grand European drearn is open to question. There is no doubt that many large multi-national firms have been plying for British melfl bership for a long time. They find national boundaries cramp their style and, being multi-national, have little allegiance to anyone but themselves. The City — always ready to back a, gimmick that might rustle up a bit 91 business — supported EEC membershIP as it would encourage the free movement of capital. True the net flog/ would be away from Britain, but this Is of little consequence for those living on commission. However, after the disastrous first year of Common Market membershIP, industry, like the City, and especiallY the CBI, should surely have had second thoughts. Or have they become so indoctrinated by the 'elitist establish' ment' to be immune from the basic facts of life? Such documents as the CBI's "Towards a Better Europe" has more the stamp of the European Movement than that of a solid body nf businessmen. The CBI Director General's much publicised phrase of "absurdity and madness" should have been directed at the idea of remaining in the Community without a damental renegotiation" rather than al the prospect of leaving the Market.
Indeed, one would have thought that Mr Campbell Adamson and the CBI
would have been happy to give their backing to any discussions designed to get Britain a better deal out of the CoMmunity. As a businessman, I find it hard to grasp why the Tothill Street hierarchy are so committed to a system whereby Britain not only subsidises its competitors, but subsidises herself
that are better off than oerself.
The contention that we will be excluded from European markets if we leave the EEC does not hold water. Are the CBI unable to grasp that, just as We will wish to retain our outlets on the Continent where we have been doing well, our EEC partners will want 03 hold on to their UK markets where they have been doing even better. Trade is a two way exercise. Could it be that, having put their 11;ihneY on the wrong European horse (It was the one in the Norwegian colours that romped home) the CBI are reluctant to admit that they have . °acked a loser. There is no doubt that 1;v,ithi0 the Confederation as in the onservative Party with whom they nave many indirect links there is a natural and understandable wish not to 'rock the boat.' But to extend this to such lengths on the European issue vjhi,ch, in spite of the backing of virtually all the media, has failed to win "°Pular support throughout the country is tantamount to banging one's head on a brick wall. The sooner that it is realised that the C°Mmon Market on the present terms is a luxury we cannot afford, h
, e better it will be for everyone, not 'east industry itself.
James Towler 25 Moseley Wood Lane, Cookridge, Leeds.
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