§ 46. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the Prime Minister of France to London to discuss with him British policy towards the European Defence Community.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister of France is always a welcome visitor to London, but he does not have to cross the Channel to know that British policy towards the European Defence Community is to do their utmost to help to bring it into existence at the earliest possible date, and to do all they can to support it and to associate themselves with it.
§ Mr. WyattDoes the Prime Minister now realise that the unpleasant threat he made to France in his speech at Margate has had a very bad effect on the prospects of ratification of E.D.C. in France? Surely he knows that it is not so much the fault of the French that they have not ratified it as of his own failure to live up to his promises at Strasbourg that Britain would join a European Army? I am sure that he might at least ask the Prime Minister of France to come here so that the right hon. Gentleman can apologise to him and put the matter straight.
§ The Prime MinisterI think the hon. Gentleman's purpose in putting the Question was not so much to elicit information as to point a moral.
§ Mr. ShinwellWould it not be really useful to get the facts stated quite clearly to the House? Is it not true to say that the French made the proposal in the first instance for a European Defence Community and have done precious little ever since to implement it?
§ The Prime MinisterWell, I was being scolded just now for something I had said having had an irritating effect upon France. Now I must be careful before I accept any suggestion from the right hon. Gentleman whose soothing speeches in many parts of the world have been given such prominence.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise after his long experience that when he sometimes reproaches another country or another Government some of us can agree with him?
§ The Prime MinisterI am never in the position of refusing sincere support.