§ 50. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will discuss with the Prime Minister of China the possibility of an interchange of good will missions led by the Prime Ministers of both countries.
§ The Prime MinisterIt has been the constant policy of Her Majesty's Government to work towards an improvement of relations with the Government of China. But I do not think that the time has yet come when it would be appropriate to pursue this particular idea.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Prime Minister not realise that if he decided to go on a good will visit to China and took the Chancellor of the Exchequer with him the House would be pleased to give leave of absence? Is he not also aware of what seems to be the highly successful visit of Marshal Bulganin and Mr. Khruschev to I ndia—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and why should all the imagination and all the initiative—[Interruption.] All this interruption does not worry me. [HON. MEMBERS: "Go on."] Is the Prime Minister aware that the visit of Marshal Bulganin and Mr. Khruschev to India appears to have been successful in promoting better—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] It does not matter, I am not afraid of hon. Gentlemen opposite. Is the Prime Minister aware that the highly successful visit of Marshal Bulganin and Mr. Khruschev to India gives one the impression that if the right hon. Gentleman went to China he would help to promote good will—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder, order. I do not know what all the noise is about.
Air Commodore HarveyA few moments ago you gave a Ruling that a similar question to the Prime Minister 2122 on the Russian visit to India was out of order. The hon. Member is now repeating it.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat was quite a different thing. As far as I could hear him, the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) was asking the Prime Minister if he was aware of something. That is quite a different matter from what somebody said.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that what seems to be the highly successful visit of Marshal Bulganin and Mr. Khruschev to India has resulted in possibilities of greater friendship and greater trade between Russia and India, and does he not think that a visit of this kind might improve not only international friendship but trade between this country and China?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think it would be for me to pronounce upon the visit of one Head of Government to another Head of Government. It is for them to form their own judgments. If I were the hon. Gentleman, I think I would have some reservations about my conclusions on it.
§ Mr. HughesThat does not answer the question.