HC Deb 13 May 1953 vol 515 cc1249-50
46. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the reason for the proposed official visit to Canada of the Minister of Defence.

The Prime Minister

My noble Friend the Minister of Defence tells me that he has no plans to visit Canada, either officially or unofficially.

Mr. Shinwell

Has not the right hon. Gentleman seen the report in the Press —the only source of information available to me at this moment—to the effect that the Minister of Defence, in reply to an invitation from an organisation in Canada, recently said that he could not go at present, but hoped to go before the end of this year? Has not the right hon. Gentleman been made aware of that?

The Prime Minister

I think my answer covers that point. It may well be that I have been so much occupied in examining other aspects of the newspaper Press in the last 24 hours that I have missed something, but I have reassured myself by direct contact with the noble Lord.