§ 48. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister whether, in preparation of his forthcoming meeting with President Eisenhower, he will define the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the latest official Soviet proposal for an agreed embargo on the supply of arms to all countries in the Near and Middle East, and for other forms of joint Four Power action on the economic and security problems of this area.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Russian proposals were addressed to the United States and French Governments as well as to Her Majesty's Government. They are naturally being studied with care and will be the subject of consultation with our American and French allies. Pending such consultations I should prefer to say no more.
§ Mr. WarbeyWill the Prime Minister give us an assurance that when he gives the proposals more detailed consideration he will not be prejudiced against the Soviet proposals by virtue of their being almost identical with those advanced by the Opposition as far back as last May?
§ The Prime MinisterI should not like to identify the two sets of proposals in that way. I would only say that we received them on the morning of 12th February and they were published at midday the same day, and I think it is only right that the three Governments should seriously consider their reply before making it.
§ Mr. YoungerWill the Prime Minister consider representing to the United States Government that the practice which was followed on this occasion as well as on some previous occasions when there were 1446 Soviet proposals, whereby the State Department instantly issued a very discouraging statement about the proposals without prior consultation with anybody, is not helpful and that it creates a rather bad impression among their allies? The formula which he has given us, by which we have consultation first and a statement afterwards, will be much more satisfactory.
§ The Prime MinisterI think the formula that I have announced is the one that we have agreed with our French and American allies.