HC Deb 22 April 1953 vol 514 cc1166-8
45. Mr. Dodds

asked the Prime Minister what progress he has been able to make since 31st March in improving the atmosphere in international affairs, and in arranging a meeting with Mr. Malenkov.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on Monday in reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Acting Leader of the Opposition, when I commented on President Eisenhower's recent declaration.

Mr. Dodds

Is not the Prime Minister aware that there are millions of people not satisfied with that statement? Is not it now time, after his earlier promises, that he himself should do more than just pat the Americans on the back? Has this nation not got a right to expect the Prime Minister to have something to say?

The Prime Minister

I am afraid—I do not want to be unfair—but I am afraid I must leave this to be settled between the hon. Member, who is seeking political advancement, and the Acting Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Shinwell rose

—

The Prime Minister

You are the Leader now, are you?

Mr. Shinwell

I see no reason why the right hon. Gentleman should be so nasty. I merely want to ask him a question which may interest him. Perhaps he had better wait for the question before he indulges in these rude interjections. In any case, they do not affect me much. While not wishing to embarrass the right hon. Gentleman in the present delicate state of affairs, would he not reassure at any rate a section of public opinion by giving an assurance that he will not leave the initiative entirely in the hands of the United States?

The Prime Minister

I do not think, looking back over a long period in peace and war, I have ever, as far as I had anything to say in matters, been willing to accept the complete initiative from the United States. I am most anxious that we should work with them, and indeed it is vital to the survival of the free world that we should, but at the same time we certainly should make our opinion felt—

Mr. Dodds

That is what we want.

The Prime Minister

—and our weight count as far as we can, and I do not think that the course I have adopted has in any way diminished the influence we have had upon affairs.

Mr. Shinwell

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that that was precisely the answer that we expected, but if the question had not been put a section of public opinion would require reassurance in the matter? Does not he realise now that it was desirable that such a question should be put?

The Prime Minister

I do not see any harm in the question the right hon. Gentleman has put, but I do not think the other one was necessary in any way.

Mr. Ellis Smith

While appreciating the statement made by the Prime Minister on Monday, and remembering that during the war he took the initiative on several occasions in bringing together President Roosevelt, Mr. Stalin and others, may I ask whether he does not think the time has arrived when he should take a similar initiative to use a similar influence?

The Prime Minister

I do really think that it would not be good for me to try to answer that question now.

Mr. Dodds

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that he himself some years ago made a statement as to what he would do if he got the power? He has had it for 18 months and he has done nothing in that respect.

The Prime Minister

I did not get the power to regulate the way in which the affairs of the world would go. I only got the power to preside over a party which has been able to beat the Opposition in Divisions for 18 months.