§ 42. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why his proposals for a Western Europe defence pact were communicated to the American State Department before they were announced in the House of Commons.
§ Mr. BevinIn view of the importance of my speech I thought it right that not only Mr. Marshall but also the Foreign Ministers of France and the Benelux countries should be given an outline of what I had to say. For different reasons they were all closely concerned.
§ Mr. WarbeyDoes my right hon. Friend accept Mr. Marshall's description of his proposals as proposals for a "Western European defence pact"? Will he make inquiries to find out how it was that Mr. Bernard Baruch and Mr. John Foster Dulles were able to make similar proposals to the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee two or three days before he made his statement in this House?
§ Mr. WarbeyIt was at a Press conference.
§ Mr. BevinI have not read the words used. I should like my hon. Friend to produce evidence that the words were used. The very opposite is the attitude of the United States Government about a Western defence pact. I think my hon. Friend is entirely wrong.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs my right hon. Friend aware that the United States Information Office distributed a report of a Press conference at which Mr. Marshall used those words?