HC Deb 18 December 1956 vol 562 cc1092-5
45. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the proposed meeting between the heads of Governments of the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

52. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Prime Minister what communication he has had with President Eisenhower during the past week with a view to arranging a meeting.

The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)

I recognise the value of the suggestion, but I have no statement to make at present.

Mr. Henderson

May I ask the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to seek to re-establish relations between the United States Government and Her Majesty's Government on their former basis of confidence and co-operation; and, if so, will he repudiate the anti-American sentiments contained in the Motion on the Order Paper which is signed by more than 100 of his supporters?

[That this House congratulates the Foreign Secretary on his efforts to secure international control of the Suez Canal, and deplores both the Resolution of the General Assembly calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of British and French troops front Egypt, and the attitude of the United States of America which is gravely endangering the Atlantic alliance.]

The Prime Minister

I do not know about anti-American sentiments, but I can assure the right hon. and learned Gentleman that that is my desire, and that is very well known to be my desire by the Administration of the United States.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

While welcoming the dissociation by the Prime Minister from the Motion signed by 120 of his so-called supporters, may I ask him if he will make it quite clear that the problems of this country cannot altogether be left for solution to discussion between President Eisenhower and Mr. Nehru?

The Prime Minister

In reply to the first part of that question, I hope that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will not ask me to accept his somewhat involved preliminary conclusion. In reply to the second part, certainly so far as this country is concerned our position in respect of meetings and discussions is well known to the United States of America.

Sir R. Grimston

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the Motion referred to represented very widely-held feelings in this country?

The Prime Minister

I was really only trying to deal with the Question on the Order Paper, which was in reference to a meeting, and I think I have answered that clearly. I think that the conclusion I have put before the House is the correct one.

Mr. Gaitskell

Perhaps the Prime Minister would deal with the other matter in a meeting which I understand is to take place later upstairs.

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman should not chortle too much in advance.