§ 27. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which of the proposals on disarmament made by the Russian Government on 10th May, 1955, Her Majesty's Government now accept, and which they reject.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanThe Soviet Government's proposals of 10th May embodied several suggestions long urged by the Western Powers. These proposals were, however, put forward by the Western Powers on the condition that they formed part of a comprehensive disarmament agreement which would include an effective system of control. The Soviet Government have not yet agreed to accept adequate measures of control.
§ Mr. WarbeyAs the Soviet statement not only accepted the Western proposals for ceilings on conventional armed forces and the deferment of the banning of nuclear weapons until the second stage of the disarmament programme, but also went a long way towards accepting the Western proposals for international control and inspection, will the Foreign Secretary now answer the question more specifically, and state what gap is now remaining and why it cannot be speedily closed?
§ Mr. MacmillanThe gap remaining is perfectly clear if we read the discussions at Geneva. The Soviet Government have never accepted control, and have never made any direct and straightforward proposal in favour of control.