§ 48. Mr. Gammansasked the Prime Minister if he has considered making a personal visit to the United States of 1546 America in the near future in order to co-ordinate fully our joint efforts under the Security Council and to consider common plans for the defence of the Far East.
§ The Prime MinisterThe existing arrangements for communication between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government enable us to maintain close and constant contact on all questions. I do not consider that the need for such a visit, either by myself or by any of my colleagues in the Cabinet. at present arises.
§ Mr. GammansDoes not the Prime Minister feel that if he would pay a personal visit, it would not only mean that we should identify ourselves with the American effort, but would be an opportunity of informing the American people that we are sharing the same burdens and fighting the same enemy in Malaya?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think this is necessarily the best way of doing that. Our contacts are extremely close with the American Government; there are visits from time to time from both sides, and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will be visiting America in the course of the autumn