§ 47. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister when he expects to be able to make a further statement on the proposed Summit Conference; and what progress is being made through diplomatic or other channels.
§ 51. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister what obstacles are being placed in his way in proceeding with the proposed summit talks by either the United States of America or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ The Prime MinisterNeither the United Kingdom nor the United States Governments have placed obstacles in the way of summit talks, but both have laid emphasis on the need for preparatory work. I hope the Soviet Government will agree to this, especially in view of the clear and practical proposals which the British, United States and French Governments made to them on 31st March.
§ Mr. HendersonWill the Prime Minister clarify one point? Will the three Western Governments insist on the holding of a Foreign Ministers' conference, even though the proposed diplomatic discussions lead to an agreed agenda?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, if everything could be settled at the diplomatic level, that would be a good thing.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsHas my right hon. Friend noticed the initiative of the newly-elected Canadian Government in this matter, in the suggestion that there should be Commonwealth initiative to break down the rigidity of the American approach? Can my right hon. Friend go a little further in making a comment on that, and can he also comment on the possibility of making a statement on the intentions of the British Government in relation to testing our own hydrogen weapon, how long those tests will take, 1382 and whether there is any possibility at the end of them of getting an agreement to suspend tests?
§ The Prime MinisterI think all those points were covered by the statement I made last Tuesday. On the first point I am very pleased, and I think the House was gratified, at the clear, practical, short aide-méemoire deposited by the three Governments with the Soviet Government. I am sure the right thing to do is to wait—and I wait with hope and confidence—for the reply of the Soviet Government.
§ Mr. GaitskellWill the Prime Minister clear up one other point? He spoke just now of the possibility of everything being cleared up at the diplomatic level. Does he mean by this that he would be satisfied if agreement could be reached on the agenda at diplomatic level, and that if that were the case there would be no need for the Foreign Secretaries to meet?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I hope there will not be any misunderstanding. The document sets out a system which I hope will be accepted. I think personally that the meeting of Foreign Secretaries, which I think the Russian Government themselves have now accepted, would be a very valuable part of the general machinery for reaching a successful result at the Summit Conference. Therefore, I personally think that this system is the best one. We must see how it works out and keep in mind the object, and the object is to have a conference at the summit which will produce some successful results.