Sir: I was interested to read Bill Jamieson's contribution to
Sovereign State (March 22) and in particular to his references to the CB's pro-Market stance. My own experience is that most businessmen have not given much serious thought to the question of the Market, but that those who have are becoming increasingly sceptical of the wisdom of staying in the EEC.
There is no doubt that CBI President Ralph Bateman is talking through his hat when he talks about industry being "overwhelmingly in favour" of remaining in the EEC. This is certainly not true of Yorkshire businessmen. Indeed a group of them sponsored a report from Dr Brian Burkitt, Lecturer in Economics at the University of Bradford, which spelt out all too clearly the adverse economic consequences of remaining in the EEC.
By contrast the case for the Market — as expounded by the CBI 'Europe Campaign' — is little more than a list of tired, outdated clichés backed by a' handful of Brussels glossy leaflets. Indeed it is worth questioning just hoW much support this campaign is receiving from within the CBI. According to BBC Midweek only 500 CBI members are backing the Europe campaign whereas the President's appeal for support went out to all the 10,000 Plus membership. By any standards this is a poor response for a cause for which industry is said to be "overwhelming in favour.
If the CBI are out of touch on this issue, as seems likely, the same can also be said of the National Farmers Union. It would appear that Sir Henry Plumb is so busy commuting between London and Brussels that he has lost contact with his grass roots 'Dan Archer' membership. How else does one explain the case whereby one day the NFU vote 'overwhelmingly' for continued EEC membership and the next day they bring out a report recommending an increase in UK agricultural production which takes no account of the Common Agricultural Policy and the growing surpluses of grain, milk and beef on the Continent?
Joseph Kane 14 Hallfield Road, Bradford
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