HC Deb 02 March 1955 vol 537 cc2042-5
22. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has on the Soviet Government's policy regarding four-Power talks after the ratification of the Paris Agreements.

Mr. Turton

The only information I have is derived from a number of recent public statements, in which the Soviet Government have expressed their views on the prospect of four-Power talks after ratification of the Paris Agreements.

Mr. Lewis

If the Minister is referring to the broadcast on 15th January and to Mr. Molotov's statement of 8th February, as I assume he is, is it not the case that in both instances the Soviet Government stated that they would not agree to four-Power talks after ratification? If that is the case, can he explain why it was that the Prime Minister was not aware of that fact when I asked him a Question about it last week?

Mr. Turton

That is not the case. I have here the broadcast statements to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and I do not find that they contain that. They did say that negotiations on German reunification would be in one case "pointless" and in the other "impossible." They used other phrases like that, but they have in no case said that they are unwilling to enter into negotiations.

Mr. S. Silverman

Would the hon. Member explain why he attaches such importance to the parts of the broadcast to which he has just referred when, on a previous Question about elections in Germany, he was of opinion that the broadcasts did not express the views of the Russian Government?

Mr. Turton

In this Question I am asked what information I have from broadcasts, and I have tried to the best of my ability to inform the House about these different broadcast statements. In the previous Question the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) asked me whether it was in one broadcast statement, and I made it clear, I hope, that more than one broadcast statement was involved.

Mr. Beswick

Would the Under-Secretary be good enough to read Question No. 22 and explain the reference to broadcasts?

Mr. Turton

I was asked what information I had, and I have said in my reply that the information is contained in a number of broadcast statements. The supplementary question was directed to the content of the broadcast statements.

Mr. Lewis

The Under-Secretary himself has quoted the fact that the Soviet Government have said that in the event of ratification it would be "pointless" and "impossible" to have four-Power talks. Can he now explain what that means, if it does not mean that they would not agree to talks?

Mr. Alport

Would it be possible for Questions not to be arranged in succession to the same hon. Members, so that they are not in a position to abuse their rights?

Mr. Speaker

That would not on the whole be convenient. It sometimes happens that an hon. Member who is called for his next Question uses the opportunity to ask an additional supplementary question. But I do not think that that calls for any alteration of the order of Questions on the Order Paper.

Mr. Lewis

Can I explain to you, Mr. Speaker?

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is entitled to make an explanation.

Mr. Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I explain to you that when I was called I thought that you were calling me to put another supplementary Question.

23. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will approach the Soviet Government with proposals for the calling of a Four-Power conference, immediately on the ratification of the Paris Agreements, for the purpose of discussing international difficulties.

Mr. Turton

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson), on 16th February.

Mr. Lewis

That reply to my right hon. and learned Friend, as this reply, was completely unsatisfactory. Cannot the Under-Secretary hold out at least some hope? What harm, what danger, what difficulty can there be in making some proposals, or soundings, or some progress towards getting four-Power talks, in view of the gravity of the situation as witnessed by the Prime Minister's speech yesterday?

Mr. Turton

I hope that the hon. Member will take courage from the fact that the majority of democratic countries in Europe believe that the ratification of these agreements will facilitate four-Power talks.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the hon. Member clear up this point? Will he make it quite clear that the Government are ready and willing to enter into four-Power talks immediately after ratification?

Mr. Turton

I am grateful for the opportunity. That has been made clear by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and by the Prime Minister on numerous occasions, and I reiterate it today.