HC Deb 30 April 1957 vol 569 cc28-31
49. Mr. Rankin

asked the Prime Minister what reply he proposes to make to the letter he has recently received from Marshal Bulganin.

51. Mr. Allaun

asked the Prime Minister if he has now considered the letter from Marshal Bulganin, and, in particular, the proposal to suspend hydrogen bomb tests and if he will make a statement.

52. Mr. Parkin

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the willingness of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, expressed officially, to authorise plenipotentiary representatives to examine appropriate questions with representatives of Great Britain, he will use this procedure in the first place to seek the expansion of trade and of cultural and scientific-technical exchanges between the two countries.

The Prime Minister

My final reply to Mr. Bulganin is still under consideration, but I have sent him the following interim reply, which I will read: I wish to thank you for the message which you sent to me through Mr. Malik on 20th April and fully appreciate the care which you have given to the study of all these questions, and the interest you show in improving the relations between our two countries. Your letter raises a large number of important issues, and I am sure you will agree that the points you make require careful study. When I have had time to examine them more fully I hope to send you a further reply.

Mr. Rankin

While thanking the Prime Minister for his Answer, so far as it goes, may I ask whether he will consider moving a little more quickly, in view of the fact that Marshal Bulganin's letter raises the question of the Middle East? Will not the right hon. Gentleman try to use a healing hand in seeking to prevent further deterioration in that part of the world? Does he accept the view that there can be no permanent settlement in the Middle East until Russia is brought into it, and would he not agree that Marshal Bulganin's letter provides him with the opportunity that I particularly want him to use?

The Prime Minister

These are all important matters; the hon. Gentleman has mentioned three or four great issues. I think I should be wiser to consider them carefully, take advice from my colleagues and look at the matter from all points of view, and to try to give, as soon as I am able, the further reply which I promised to Mr. Bulganin.

Mr. Allaun

Does not the Prime Minister feel that the world is waiting for one great nation to have the courage and sanity to contract out of this suicidal competition in H-bombs. if only by way of a temporary and conditional suspension, thus producing the possibility of agreement to end them for ever?

The Prime Minister

We discussed that matter at considerable length in a full two-day debate. I do not think I can add to anything that I said on that occasion.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind the growing opinion in this country that we ought to take the lead in seeking to reduce the tension'? If Bulganin's letter gives an opportunity for a further discussion that might be fruitful, I take it that the Prime Minister will accept it?

The Prime Minister

I would, of course, do everything I could to get a solution of this problem, but I am not prepared, as I told the House, to put this country in a position of such inferiority as to have no great power of speaking on these matters.

Mr. Griffiths

I was not asking or suggesting that the Prime Minister should do that. He will have noticed that one of the important Nonconformist bodies has urged that our country should take the lead in this matter. No doubt the Prime Minister will bear that in mind in coming to a decision.

The Prime Minister

Of course, it is for that reason that we have made our proposals and are supporting the new American proposals, and we hope to reach some agreement; but I must repeat that while I will do everything I can—any Government of any complexion would do everything they could—to get a solution of this problem that hangs over the world, conventional and unconventional disarmament are connected, I am not prepared—I do not believe that any British Prime Minister would be prepared—to put this country in a permanently weaker position.

Mr. Parkin

Will the right hon. Gentleman notice that I ask him, in Question No. 52, about the offer to appoint plenipotentiaries? If this means people with authority to reach a deal without strings on any specific subject, would it not be a good idea to take up, and to hand over to them, such subjects as trade, cultural and technical exchanges, which would not have any of the complications which many of the other subjects have?

The Prime Minister

I will try to deal with the matter in making my reply, but I must point out that we had very long discussions about cultural exchanges at the second Geneva Conference and that, unfortunately, we did not find the Soviet very forthcoming then. Perhaps they will be more so now. As regards trade, the Russian Government maintain, as the hon. Gentleman knows, a large trade delegation in London, and a number of British businessmen have negotiated with it and have obtained important contracts. I think that that part of it is very well attended to, but if any improvement can be made we shall certainly consider that.

Mr. Grimond

I take it that the Prime Minister's Answer covers the Russian proposals on what used to be called the "Eden Plan" for Eastern Europe. If so, will he give sympathetic consideration to taking up that proposal about Eastern Europe through the ordinary, private diplomatic channels to see whether some lessening or easing of the tension cannot be brought about, and whether troops cannot be withdrawn from the satellite countries?

The Prime Minister

Again, we discussed both questions at the first and second Geneva Conferences. This is a subject, as the hon. Gentleman will realise, on which I should be very unwilling to make a statement without notice, for many important interests, not only our own but those of our allies, are involved.