HC Deb 14 June 1979 vol 968 cc615-6
Q3. Mr. Latham

asked the Prime Minister when she expects to meet the President of the United States of America.

The Prime Minister

I look forward to meeting the President of the United States at the Tokyo economic summit in two weeks' time.

Mr. Latham

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the SALT treaty which the President is about to sign adequately defends the interests of the European nations, including Britain? If she shares the doubts of Senator Jackson and others, will she tell the President that he must take into account the British negotiating view as well?

The Prime Minister

We look forward to studying the full text of SALT II, which we have not yet seen. The United States has made clear that SALT II will not affect existing co-operation within the Alliance. So far as our own position is concerned, we have received assurances that there is nothing in the agreement to prevent us from ensuring the continuing effectiveness of Britain's nuclear deterrent.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

When the Prime Minister meets the President, will she make clear to him, in the name of the people of this country, that since 1783 the internal government of the United Kingdom has been no business of the Government of the United States, any more than the internal government of the United States is the business of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom?

The Prime Minister

I accept entirely what the right hon. Gentleman says.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

As President Carter insists, at this moment, on continuing sanctions against democracy in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, will my right hon. Friend, since the Administration of which she is head is responsible for Rhodesia, consider inviting the President to visit Salisbury so that he may become up to date with what has happened recently in that country?

The Prime Minister

I hope to be discussing these matters with the President at the Tokyo summit. As my hon. Friend knows, the Government's objective is to return Rhodesia to legality and to try to secure the co-operation of as many other nations as possible in that objective. As my hon. Friend also knows, Lord Harlech is visiting many of the front-line States at the moment. We expect to receive his report when he returns in just over a week's time.

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