HC Deb 07 November 1945 vol 415 c1276
46. Mr. Lipson

asked the Prime Minister if he will invite Premier Stalin to visit this country in the near future.

Mr. H. Morrison

It would, of course, give His Majesty's Government great pleasure to be able to welcome Generalissimo Stalin to this country. The hon. Member can, I think, safely leave the question of such an invitation in the hands of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Lipson

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether that means that any invitations have been given by His Majesty's Government or not, because not only His Majesty's Government, but the people, would welcome the opportunity of receiving the leader of the U.S.S.R.?

Mr. Morrison

I have made it quite clear that a visit by Generalissimo Stalin would give the Government and, I am sure, everybody, great pleasure. I think the House would agree that the judgment as to the occasion and the timing would, on the whole, be best left to His Majesty's Government.