§ 47. Mr. Doddsasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the public desire for personal talks between Marshal Stalin, President Truman and himself in order to lessen the international tension; and if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding a meeting between himself and Marshal Stalin.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 12th November last year. It might shorten time if I read it:
There are at present no plans for negotiations on general problems with the Soviet Union, but the possibility of a high-level meeting should not be excluded if circumstances are favourable."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th November, 1951; Vol. 493, c. 644.]
§ Mr. McGovernWill the Prime Minister take care not to rule out the possibility of meeting Marshal Stalin, bearing in mind that Stalin has already met Ribbentrop, Chiang Kai-Shek and the Japanese Ambassador, whom he kissed on both cheeks; and will he see that that is not repeated if he should meet him?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman is as good a judge of such delights as I am.