HC Deb 16 February 1953 vol 511 cc867-8
26. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on his recent official discussions with the United States Secretary of State.

Mr. Eden

I am glad to have this opportunity to inform the House that my right hon. Friends and I held several meetings with the United States Secretary of State and Mr. Harold Stassen on 4th February. The talks covered a wide range of topics—indeed, all the main problems in which the United States and ourselves share a common interest. The discussions dealt specially with the European Defence Community and the Far East. As I told the House on 5th February, I am confident that as a result of these talks we shall develop a close co-operation with the new United States Administration in the international field.

I look forward to renewing these discussions with the United States Government during the visit which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I will be paying to the United States later this month.

Mr. Wyatt

Did Mr. Dulles make it clear to the Foreign Secretary that should there be contemplated in the future any further act by the United States which might involve an extension of the war in the Far East, not merely would information be given to us before that act was undertaken but that there would be consultation, so that there should be an agreed act undertaken rather than a unilateral act?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member will no doubt remember what I said in the course of the debate after the decision on Formosa. The words which I used were very carefully chosen and I would rather refer the hon. Member to them than have to improvise words at Question time.

Miss Lee

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite certain that the remark that those words were chosen might not lead to a certain amount of ambiguity? Is it not in the interest of both countries that it should be clearly understood on both sides of the Atlantic that we on this side cannot be bound by anything which is the result of a unilateral decision?

Mr. Eden

I find that question a clearer one to answer. I am sure that there is no doubt in the mind of the United States Government that this Government feel they have a right to consultation, to discussion in advance of ally major decision which would affect war policy.

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