§ 48. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister whether the statement on British foreign policy in relation to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics contained in the broadcast speech delivered by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 30th November represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Prime Minister really listen to the Foreign Secretary's broadcasts, or does he switch off before the right hon. and learned Gentleman finishes? Is the Prime Minister aware that his chief Conservative supporter in Scotland, The Scotsman, said of the Foreign Secretary:
… it is hard to say what he is thinking about,and that his platitudes were repellent; also that it contrasted his broadcast very unfavourably with that of Mr. George Kennan who followed the next night?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Question asked whether the broadcast made by my right hon. and learned Friend represented the policy of Her Majesty's Government. The answer is "Yes". I thought that it stated that with great clarity, with great force and with great wisdom.
§ 49. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Prime Minister whether the broadcast on 30th November by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in which he insisted that the Soviet Union must agree to a reunited Germany entering the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation before there could be an end to the nuclear arms race and a European settlement, and referred to this country's victories over Phillip II of Spain. Napoleon and Hitler as historic precedents for Britain's dealings with the Soviet Union today, represented the Government's policy.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. and learned Friend made no such statement about Germany. He reaffirmed that a solution to the problem of German reunification was one of the issues over which a positive move by the Soviet Union was desirable. My right hon. and learned Friend's valid historical references were in order to indicate that it is never wise to regard Great Britain as a spent force.
§ Mr. ZilliacusDoes the first part of the Prime Minister's reply mean that the Government are prepared to consider solutions alternative to that of the Soviet Government allowing a united Germany to enter N.A.T.O. and, if so, what alternative solution? Is not the Prime Minister aware, on the second half of the Question, that great alarm and apprehension was conveyed by the apparent historic parallel to the effect that the Government were seriously thinking of singeing the beard of the King of Spain with hydrogen bombs in the Kremlin?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member asked the Question in two parts, and I have answered both of them. He has now merely restated the Question.