HC Deb 09 November 1953 vol 520 cc598-9
45. Mr. Dodds

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the desire of the people that he should, without further delay, take the initiative to end the present deadlock by offering to meet Mr. Malenkov for an informal talk, or call for an early meeting with President Eisenhower and the French Prime Minister, with a view to reconciling Western policies on the question of meeting Mr. Malenkov.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

I have been asked to reply. As the hon. Member well knows, my right hon. Friend has these important matters very much in mind. There is nothing that he can add to the carefully considered statement on this question which he made to the House on 3rd November.

Mr. Dodds

That answer is not good enough. Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate the rapidly growing concern among the people that when there are great possibilities, the Government are feeble and ineffective? How much longer is this paralysis in statesmanship to continue, or is it that the answer to this can be found in Washington and not in London?

Sir H. Williams

Can my right hon. Friend say whether a similar Question was asked in the Supreme Soviet and, if so, what answer was given?

Mr. Lewis

Is the Lord Privy Seal aware that consistently from 1950 onwards, when the Prime Minister was Leader of the Opposition and since he became Prime Minister, he said that he would carry out the suggestion which is conveyed in the Question? What action has the Prime Minister taken to carry out the promises he has made other than to make statements and to take no action?

Mr. Fernyhough

In view of the congenial atmosphere which, according to the Press, prevailed in Moscow on Saturday night, does the Leader of the House think that if a similar party was arranged at which the Prime Minister attended, good results might not follow?

Mr. Crookshank

These are all very interesting speculations. The Prime Minister made a careful statement only a week ago.

Mr. Lewis

But what has he done since?

Mr. Crookshank

If the hon. Member refers to the statement, he will find the answer.