§ 51. Mr. Doddsasked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in arranging a meeting with Mr. Malenkov.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the last part of my answer to Question No. 48.
§ [48. Mr. ARTHUR LEWIS: To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, during the Summer Adjournment, a party of prominent politicians, including the leader of Her Majesty's Opposition, paid a visit to Moscow; that the Soviet Government have invited a British Parliamentary delegation to visit the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and whether, in these circumstances, he will now propose a Big Three meeting in Moscow to discuss international affairs.]
§ Mr. DoddsNot being a thought reader, I cannot attempt to understand what that might have been. Would the right hon. Gentleman read that last part and explain, out of courtesy, in response to a Question asked in the House, why the period now is not appropriate to such a meeting?
§ The Prime MinisterI had better read the answer which I was going to give to Question No. 48. Perhaps my hon. and right hon. Friends will look back to it on the Paper, otherwise they will not see the relevance of the answer.
Yes, Sir. I am certainly aware of these visits. They have in fact been widely reported in the Press.In reply to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's Question, I cannot do better than repeat the answer I gave to him when last we were together on 27th July.May I repeat the answer which I respectfully served up to the hon. Member? This was the answer:I have nothing to add to my previous statements on the subject of a top level conference. Her Majesty's Government intend to take all possible steps to decrease tension, whether through established bodies or by special methods."—[OFFICIAL REPORT. 27th July, 1954; Vol. 531, c. 232.]
§ Mr. DoddsWill the right hon. Gentleman now reply to Question No. 51, which does not refer to the Big Three but purely to the fact of whether, the Prime Minister having already seen President Eisenhower, he will now make an attempt to meet Mr. Malenkov? Is the Prime Minister not aware that there are many people in this country who are very sad that he, at Blackpool, should speak in such sneering terms about the visit of my right hon. Friend to Moscow, which has the approval of the vast majority of the British people?
§ The Prime MinisterI thought I spoke in very respectful terms—
§ The Prime Minister—considering that I was addressing a political meeting. 1031 I was endeavouring to stand between the feelings of my audience and members of the Opposition. But the situation has been altered by the negotiations which the Soviet Government set on foot recently and which are still under consideration and discussion. I have in no way receded from my expression of willingness to meet Mr. Malenkov at some agreed place and rendezvous if the right time and occasion is found.
§ Mr. DoddsIn view of the unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.