HC Deb 19 December 1956 vol 562 cc1260-1
16 and 17. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) when, in view of the fact that the disarmament proposals made by the Soviet Government on 17th November are nearer to those of the Western Powers, he intends to discuss the proposals with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

(2) whether, in view of the proposals of the Soviet Government on aerial inspection, Her Majesty's Government will urgently speed up consideration of the disarmament problem by supporting the Soviet suggestion of a meeting of the heads of Government of the five Powers.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

We believe that the proper forum for the discussion of disarmament is provided by the specialised bodies already established by the United Nations—the Disarmament Commission and its Sub-Committee. Experience shows that the sort of high-level conference such as is proposed by the Russians is unlikely to be any more effective. Nor is disarmament a subject on which Her Majesty's Government would wish to hold bilateral discussions with the, Soviet Government to the exclusion of their Western partners in the Disarmament Sub-Committee.

Mr. Davies

I realise that the Special Agencies may be the proper bodies to undertake this work. The reason why I am asking the Foreign Secretary this question is to find out whether we have an attitude or policy upon these Russian proposals, which are nearer the Western proposals than those made at any other time. This would be one of the ways of demonstrating to the world that, far from Britain having lost her greatness, she still has the capacity for leadership in real world affairs.

Mr. Lloyd

I have studied these new Russian proposals. Some of them are very reminiscent of previous proposals put forward, and the extent to which they come nearer to the Western proposals is a matter for doubt. Nevertheless, they are new proposals. Therefore, they are worthy of consideration. The Disarmament Commission is due to meet tomorrow, and I hope that there will be a meeting of the Disarmament Sub-Committee in the near future. There is bound to be a debate in the General Assembly, or at least in the Political Committee of the General Assembly, with regard to disarmament, so there are plenty of opportunities for putting forward our point of view. I think it would be a mistake to have bilateral discussions with the Russians at the moment.