§ Mr. Arthur Greenwood (by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make regarding the forthcoming visit to Europe of the United States Under-Secretary of State?
§ The Prime MinisterA statement was issued in Washington on 9th February to the effect that the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, would, at the request of the President, proceed shortly to Europe to visit Italy, France, Germany and Great Britain. The statement added that the visit was solely for the purpose of advising the President and the Secretary of State as to present conditions in Europe and that Mr. Welles would be authorised to make no proposals or commitments in the name of the Government of the United States. Statements made to him by officials of the Governments would be kept in the strictest confidence and would be communicated by him solely to the President and the Secretary, of State. I need hardly say that His Majesty's Government for their part will be ready to welcome the President's representative and to take him fully into their confidence, with the object of assisting the President to form an estimate of the present situation.