§ 34. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the forthcoming meeting of the Sub-Committee of the United Nations Disarmament Commission; and which Minister is to lead the United Kingdom delegation.
§ Sir Anthony EdenThe United Nations Disarmament Commission met in New York on 19th November and requested the Sub-Committee to reconvene. The Sub-Committee is expected to hold a first procedural meeting in New York during December in order to decide upon the time and place of its substantive discussions. Until we know when and where the Sub-Committee will meet, I cannot say who will lead the United Kingdom delegation.
§ Mr. HendersonCan the Foreign Secretary say whether it is intended to start this discussion on the basis of what are called the Anglo-French proposals, together with the latest proposals put forward by the Soviet Union?
§ Sir A. EdenAs I understand it, the terms of reference have been agreed, and I think cover the points put by the right hon. Gentleman, but perhaps he would not mind putting a Question on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall that the Prime Minister not long ago gave a pledge that our representative will be a Minister of the Crown?
§ Sir A. EdenI have no doubt about that. If the conversations take the serious form which I hope that they will, the representative will certainly be a Minister of the Crown, but I cannot say which.
§ Mr. HendersonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us regret that the former Minister of State is not to take part in the next conference, and that we hope that a senior Minister will be chosen?
§ Sir A. EdenI have not said who will take part. I cannot say who will be chosen yet.