HC Deb 25 April 1956 vol 551 cc1765-6
14. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the United States of America is now associated with the Bagdad Pact.

Mr. Nutting

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the Question by the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 23rd April.

Miss Lee

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a growing volume of liberal opinion in America, including distinguished leaders of opinion and leaders of the American trade union movement, who are opposed to this whole conception? Will the right hon. Gentleman not go into the whole matter again?

Mr. Nutting

The hon. Lady has her own sources of information about American opinion. Her Majesty's Government welcome the adherence by the United States Government to that important organ of the Bagdad Pact, and this is, so far as I am aware, supported by United States opinion.

Mr. Shinwell

Now that the United States Government have associated themselves with the Pact, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the emphasis will be placed more on economic, cultural and other advantages than on the military advantages which some people think are likely to be derived?

Mr. Nutting

I think that emphasis should be placed on both aspects. As the situation improves, as we hope it will, clearly, more emphasis will be placed on the economic aspect.