HC Deb 07 July 1955 vol 543 cc1298-9
45. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Prime Minister which Ministers will accompany him to the Four-Power Conference at Geneva.

47. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Prime Minister the size of the delegation that is to accompany him to the Geneva Conference.

The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)

The delegation which is to accompany me to the Geneva Conference will consist of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, our Private Secretaries and such advisers as we consider necessary.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Would it not strengthen the British delegation and please many people in many lands if the Prime Minister were to invite the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir Winston Churchill) to join him?

The Prime Minister

Of course, that is a wider question. I did not realise that the hon. and gallant Gentleman had that kind of level in mind. What I thought he was asking for was the composition of the official aides I would have.

Mr. Hughes

If the Prime Minister is going to Geneva to negotiate from strength, why is he taking the Foreign Secretary? Is he satisfied that the Foreign Secretary is strong enough to wrestle with Mr. Foster Dulles? Will he not consider approaching the right hon. Member for Woodford to attend the Conference, if only to censor the official communiqué and cut out the platitudes and clichés?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member has carried this matter through very rapidly to the conclusion of the Conference. If we reach agreement I think that we shall all be content to put up even with platitudes and clichés in which to express it.