§ 42. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he proposes to make to the Soviet Government's request for a clarification of the attitude of Her Majesty's Government towards the taking of steps to ratify the European Defence Community agreements during the time when a Four-Power Conference on Germany is under consideration.
§ Mr. EdenI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Note presented to the Soviet Government on 16th November, the text of which was laid before this House on 17th November, in Command 9008.
§ Mr. WarbeySurely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that this point, probably the key point in the Soviet Note, is evaded in the reply? Will the right hon. Gentleman adopt the very sensible view put forward by the Opposition that any further steps towards German re-armament should be held in suspense until and after a conference with Russia has been got under way?
§ Mr. EdenI did not know that it was the view of Her Majesty's Opposition that we had in our reply in any way evaded the issue. On the contrary, our reply is absolutely plain and has been made public, though not in Russia so far. I made plain in that statement and in the House that we, for our part, are prepared to discuss Germany and Austria with the Soviet Government at any time at any place and without any prior conditions at all. If Russia will do the same, she can meet us tomorrow.