HC Deb 07 February 1956 vol 548 cc1500-1
46. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister what proposal he has now received from Marshal Bulganin for a bilateral treaty between the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply. None, Sir.

Mr. Henderson

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would make it clear that Her Majesty's Government continue to support the proposal for a European defence agreement to include both Russia and a re-unified Germany?

Mr. Butler

In view of certain comments of the Soviet leaders on what was called the Summit Conference, the Prime Minister's suggestion was expanded into a treaty of assurance with wide membership. This, if the right hon. and learned Gentleman will remember, formed part of the proposals for the re-unification of Germany and security generally, and were tabled at the second Geneva Conference by the three Western Powers. These are to be found, if the House is interested, on page 99 of the White Paper Cmd. 9633, and Her Majesty's Government stand by these proposals to which I draw the attention of the right hon. and learned Gentleman.