§ 20. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions since the present Government took office he has raised with the Government of the United States the question of the desirability of a meeting of the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister with Premier Stalin.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI would ask the hon. Member to await the replies which the Prime Minister will give to Questions Nos. 46 and 47.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that this Question has nothing to do with the Question put to the Prime Minister which was on the Order Paper a week ago, and can he give us an assurance that the Prime Minister is not going to take over the duties of Foreign Secretary?
§ Mr. LloydIf the hon. Gentleman will await the reply of the Prime Minister, he will realise that that reply will cover his Question.
§ 46. Mr. Doddsasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the official declaration by President Eisenhower of his willingness to go halfway to meet Marshal Stalin, he will make a statement on his attitude to this new development; and what contribution he is prepared to make in an effort to lessen the tension in international affairs.
§ 47. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will now reconsider his decision and make a prompt statement, in view of President Eisenhower's recent acceptance in principle of a meeting with Premier Stalin, to the effect that he now favours such a Three Power meeting.
§ The Prime MinisterI will, with permission, answer this Question and Question No. 47 together with No. 20.
I understand that President Eisenhower has publicly declared himself willing to meet Mr. Stalin provided, among other things, that he can see a hope of results that would help world peace. That has always been Her Majesty's Government's attitude. It may be well to repeat the actual terms in which President Eisenhower is reported to have spoken on 25th of February:
I would meet anybody anywhere if I thought there was the slightest chance of doing any good, as long as it was in keeping with what the American people expected of their Chief Executive. In other words I would not want just to say I would go anywhere. I would go to any suitable spot, let's say halfway between,"—that shows it is geographical—and talk with anybody and with the full knowledge of our allies and friends as to the kind of thing I was talking about. Because this business of defending freedom is a big job and not just one nation's business.Also on 26th February Mr. Dulles is reported to have said:Nothing whatever is in prospect for such a meeting.In reply to Question No. 20, I would say that such consultations as Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Government concerning relations with the Soviet Union have been confidential. They will no doubt be continued by the Foreign Secretary who is due to arrive in the United States on Wednesday.On the general issue, speaking for myself and Her Majesty's Government, I should, of course, be quite ready at any time to meet President Eisenhower and Marshal Stalin on the basis outlined by the President if suitable arrangements could be made. Of course the matter does not rest only with me.
§ Mr. DoddsWhile I thank the Prime Minister for that answer, does he not appreciate that the people overwhelmingly desire that he should meet Marshal Stalin as soon as possible? If Stalin is 19 bluffing, is it not right that the bluff should be called, but if he is sincere might not some good be done? May I beg the Prime Minister before it is too late to take this step, because if war should come and it has not been done, many millions of people would feel that all has not been done to keep the peace?
§ The Prime MinisterWhat exact step is the hon. Member asking me to take?
§ Mr. DoddsI am asking the right hon. Gentleman whether he would meet Stalin; and if he is bluffing to call his bluff, and whether some good could not be done.
§ The Prime MinisterI really do not think that matters of this great gravity ought to be dealt with on the basis of calling somebody's bluff.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Prime Minister think that President Eisenhower came to this conclusion after reading a very large number of eloquent speeches that the Prime Minister delivered previous to this? Will the Prime Minister tell us quite specifically that he welcomes this new overture and will do his utmost to carry it out in the spirit in which he delivered the election speeches?
§ The Prime MinisterI certainly would say that I welcome every effort to arrive at a good understanding between the great Powers.
§ Mr. PagetIn view of the fact that throughout history the meetings of heads of State have almost invariably been followed by quite disastrous consequences, would the right hon. Gentleman in future see that our relations are conducted through Foreign Offices, which seem to bring about much more satisfactory results?
§ The Prime MinisterI might suggest that the hon. and learned Member should carry out active proselytising work on his own side. [Interruption.] I quite see that the hon. and learned Member is carrying out my suggestion.