§ 52. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the discussions with the Prime Minister of Italy.
§ The Secretary of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)Signor De Gasperi came to this country to receive an honorary degree at Oxford, and the Prime Minister welcomed the opportunity of exchanging views on the international situation with this distinguished statesman. A general exchange of views took place, with particular reference to the conference then due to take place at Bermuda and to the prospects of the European Defence Community. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the policy of Her Majesty's Government is to do their utmost to bring about the creation of the E.D.C. at the earliest possible date and to do all they can to support it and associate themselves with it.
In addition, I called on the Italian Prime Minister and had a discussion with him which followed similar lines.