HC Deb 29 March 1944 vol 398 cc1411-2
8. Mr. Martin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent summary of aims of United States foreign policy was, so far as those portions which include United Nations action are concerned, issued after consultation with His Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether they represent also the policy of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Eden

The statement in question was a summary of previous announce- ments on foreign policy by the United States Administration, and therefore the question of consultation with His Majesty's Government obviously did not arise. The community of aims in the policies of the two Governments has been frequently established, e.g., at the Moscow Conference, with the conclusions of which the statement in question is wholly in accord.

Mr. Martin

Has the right hon. Gentleman observed that the Secretary of State has invited Congress to associate itself with the working out, the development and the practical application of these problems, and will he take similar action?

Mr. Eden

I am always glad of the help of Parliament and I get quite a bit of advice from outside.

Mr. Shinwell

Will not the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that, as far as Europe is concerned, we cannot allow our foreign policy to be dictated by the United States?

Mr. Eden

There is absolutely no question of that at all and I should not like any such suggestion to go out from the House. That is not the basis of our relationship with the United States. We work in co-operation with one another, neither subordinate to the other.

Mr. McGovern

Has not the time arrived for a clear statement to be made on war aims, so that the people of the country may know what they are really fighting for?

Mr. Shinwell

Has the right hon. Gentleman observed the references in the American Press, and reports in this country of what has transpired in the United States in the course of discussions about the American attitude to the French Committee of National Liberation?

Mr. Eden

I have observed in the American Press criticisms of their administration for paying too much attention to us and I sometimes see similar criticisms of His Majesty's Government for paying too much attention to them. I hope we shall not pay attention to either of these criticisms.

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