HC Deb 05 February 1958 vol 581 cc1190-2
45. Mr. Brockway

asked the Prime Minister which nations he proposes to suggest in his reply to Mr. Bulganin's letter should be invited to a Summit Conference.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

As I have already informed the House, I cannot anticipate the terms of the Prime Minister's reply to Mr. Bulganin's letter of 8th January.

Mr. Brockway

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the Press Conference which the Prime Minister gave at New Delhi and which was reported in the Times of India on 12th January? May I quote from it? Asked for his reaction to Mr. Bulganin's second letter, a summary of which he had just received by cable, Mr. Macmillan indicated a marked preference for a Summit Conference of five or six Heads of State. If that is the case, will there be any indication in the reply to Mr. Bulganin that in addition to America, France, Britain and Russia, other States are to be invited to attend?

Mr. Butler

I am fully aware of all the wise sayings of my right hon. Friend, but I am not prepared to give a forecast of his reply to Mr. Bulganin's letter.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not taking a frightfully long time to reply to this letter? I understand that the Prime Minister has indicated his readiness to agree to a Summit Conference after the necessary preparations have been made. President Eisenhower has done the same. Everybody agrees that there ought to be a conference. What stands in the way of a reply to Mr. Bulganin's letter? What is the cause of the trouble? Is it because the Prime Minister is absent from this country? Are not the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues in touch with the Prime Minister in order to ascertain his views?

Mr. Butler

We have regular contact with my right hon. Friend. Some letters take longer to answer than others.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not a fact that we are to expect this reply next week?

Mr. Butler

I cannot give a definite date for the reply.

Mr. Bevan

Was not the House told last week by the Minister of State that we could expect a reply in a week or a fortnight? As that was stated last week, will not the fortnight expire next week?

Mr. Butler

The right hon. Gentleman is singularly perceptive. I think we may draw legitimate conclusions from his analysis.

Mr. Bevan

Did the Minister of State mislead the House last week? He said that we could have the reply in a week or a fortnight.

Mr. Butler

The Minister of State used the expression In the next week or so."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th January, 1958; Vol. 581, c. 10.]

Mr. Bevan

No.

Mr. Butler

I shall be very glad to refresh my memory of what he said and then compare notes with the right hon. Gentleman. We can get the exact text of the Minister's statement.

Mr. Shinwell

Is there not a danger that Marshal Bulganin may send another letter before he receives a reply to this one?

Mr. Butler

In fact, Mr. Bulganin has already sent another letter to the United States Government.