HC Deb 08 December 1955 vol 547 c555
45. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Prime Minister whether the Foreign Secretary's speech at Wembley on 21st October, relating to the need, if the Geneva talks failed, to maintain pressure on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics until it gave way, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)

My right hon. Friend in his speech expressed the opinion that if on political grounds the Soviet Government declined to agree to German reunification at Geneva, there would then be no quick results but we should still have to persist in our efforts to secure it. That is the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the Foreign Secretary said that we should have to continue to lean up against the Russians until they gave way; that they had done so in the case of Austria and would do so again? If that does not mean pressure by superior military power, does it mean that we favour direct negotiations, on the Austrian model, between the Germans and the Russians for unification on a basis of neutrality?

The Prime Minister

I have read my right hon. Friend's speech, but there was not a word about military pressure from beginning to end. My right hon. Friend used the analogy of Austria, which was quite a good analogy to use.

Mr. Daines

Does the Prime Minister think that the recent speeches of Mr. Khrushchev and Marshal Bulganin give an example of moderate statement to which we can aspire?