§ 47. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister to consult the Prime Minister of France with a view to obtaining agreement on the immediate publication of the proposals made by the Prime Minister of France and the answer returned by this country with regard to closer British association with the European Defence Community during the recent official discussions on this subject between the Prime Ministers of France and Great Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I had a cordial exchange of views with the French Prime Minister—[HON. MEMBERS: "We cannot hear."] Hon. Members are making so much noise. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I—[HON. MEMBERS: "We cannot hear."]
§ Mr. H. MorrisonOn a point of order. Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to the fact that the Prime Minister is deliberately lowering his voice which, apart from his method of answering supplementary questions, is another means of demonstrating his contempt of House? Would you be so good as to request the Prime Minister to speak in a tone of voice that could be heard?
§ Mr. WyattOn a point of order. I asked this Question, and so far I have not heard a word of the reply.
§ Mr. SpeakerHon. Members in this House are sometimes very difficult to hear. Sometimes the amplifying apparatus does not seem to work.
§ The Prime MinisterI thought I was speaking in a normal tone but, of course, if one is subjected to a continuous clamour one has to be careful how one uses up one's voice, especially when one has a lengthy speech to make in a few minutes. I was thinking only of the general interests of the House as a long-term proposition rather than in answering this Question.
If I may have a clear run at it—my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary 561 and I had a cordial exchange of views with the French Prime Minister and other Ministers on 13th February, on possible ways in which the United Kingdom might best give further practical effect to our declared intention to work in close relationship with the European Defence Community. It has announced that further interchanges would take place through diplomatic channels. This consultation is continuing and I have no further statement to make at the moment.
§ Mr. WyattIs it not clear from the Prime Minister's answer and the way in which he began to try to give his answer that he has something to conceal in this matter? Why can he not let the House and the public know something of the proposals—the very modest proposals—made by the French, to which I believe he has returned a negative answer so far? Why cannot we be told the course of the negotiations so that the British public and the House have a chance to make up their minds about what association we should have with the European Army?