§ 48. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the confusion in the public mind as to the policy of Her Majesty's Government for arranging a four-Power Conference, he will now say how far it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to hold talks among heads of Governments before conferences at lower levels.
§ Mr. CrookshankMy right hon. Friend is not aware that there is any confusion in the public mind. As my right hon. Friends, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, have repeatedly made plain, we would wish to hold early negotiations with the Russians. A method by which they could be set in train is now being discussed with our Allies. It will naturally depend, in some measure, on the attitude of the Russians also. For our part we exclude no method and no machinery.
§ Mr. FletcherWould the Minister say whether it is the policy of the Government to try to arrange, as the Prime Minister suggested, talks between heads of Governments or to arrange meetings between officials and then Foreign Secretaries, and ultimately between heads of Governments?
§ Mr. CrookshankPerhaps the hon. Gentleman would study the full reply.