§ 48. Mr. PILKINGTONasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider using an elder statesman in the role of travel ling ambassador, at some opportune moment, with a view to securing a greater degree of co-operation among the present rulers of Europe?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot fore-see what arrangement may be desirable to meet a contingency which has not yet arisen. But my hon. Friend should not assume my agreement with his view that a fuller degree of co-operation is possible than is obtained through the use of the normal diplomatic channels.
§ Mr. THURTLEIf such a necessity does arise, will the Prime Minister exercise great care in selecting his elder stateman?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONIs it not preferable for the Ambassador or the Minister accredited to a country to take steps of this kind, rather than a peripatetic Minister; and is the Ambassador not more likely to know local conditions and local personalities?