§ 46. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement concerning the arrangements made for the official visit to this country of Marshal Bulganin next year.
§ The Prime MinisterI have appointed an Inter-Departmental Committee under the chairmanship of my noble Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to assist me to prepare and co-ordinate the arrangements for this visit, which is expected to take place during the month of April.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Prime Minister, therefore, saying that recent events have in no way altered the intentions of the Government with regard to the visit of the Russian leaders? Is he still hopeful of good results from the visit?
§ The Prime MinisterHope springs eternal.
§ Captain DuncanWill my right hon. Friend convey to the two gentlemen concerned, through the British Embassy in Moscow, the feeling in this country that if they are to visit us they should restrain their language about this country when they are visiting other countries?
§ The Prime MinisterOn behalf of Her Majesty's Government, I extended an invitation to these visitors. I think that this country, with its broad democratic intelligence, would be able to handle any situation that might be created by any visitor of any country.
§ Mr. McGovernIn the event of this visit taking place, will the Prime Minister give a guarantee to the House that all the refugees from Eastern Europe and the Baltic States who are in this country will be given adequate opportunity to pay their proper respects and give a proper welcome to these two gentlemen?
§ Mr. NicholsonWill my right hon. Friend at any rate try to ensure that during the visit of these two men to this country, India is not accused of having organised the invasion of Poland?