Labor MP Backs Market

Dismissing the official Labor Party position, British member of Parliament C.A.R. Crosland strongly advocated his country's membership in the European Common Market during a speech before the International Relations Council here Thursday night.

Crosland, president of the New Fabian Society, maintained that entering the Market would have a major psychological effect on Britain, "snapping it out of the feeling that nothing has happened in the last 30 years to affect British economic supremacy."

Entry would also cause the internationalization of the pound sterling, Crosland continued. This would free Britain from the exclusive duty of maintaining the pound, a task which he called "the major factor inhibiting the economy in Britain since 1945."

On the political significance of entering the Market, Crosland said British membership would prevent the formation of a dangerous alliance between France and West Germany. Unless it is barred by British entry into the Market, the French-German alliance will lead to a "disastrous weakening of the hope of the West," he declared.

Crosland admitted that entering the Market would diminish Britain's ties with the Commonwealth. However, he contended that it was "morally right" for these ties to be reduced. Besides, trade between Britain and the Commonwealth nations would gradually decline regardless of whether Britain joins Europe.

Disagreeing sharply with Labor Party leader Hugh Gaitskill, Crosland maintained that entering the Common Market would involve no loss of British sovereignty. On major issues, he pointed out, sovereignty could only be lost through force which other Common Market nations would not conceivably apply.