HC Deb 27 January 1958 vol 581 cc7-11
6. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply Her Majesty's Government have made to the letter from Mr. Bulganin making certain proposals regarding disarmament and peace.

20 Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he will propose fixing a date by which the preparations for the Summit Conference should be completed and assist in preparing for it by tabling proposals for disarmament and political settlements designed to bridge the gap between the respective positions of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and safeguard British interests;

(2) whether, as part of the preparations for the Summit Conference, he will put forward, as a basis of negotiations, proposals for uniting Germany outside the rival alliances but within the United Nations and an all-European treaty, accompanied by an agreement to reduce and control armaments and progressively to withdraw foreign forces from the territories of Germany and her neighbours;

(3) whether he will include in the preparations for the Summit Conference proposals to serve as a basis of negotiation, whereby the Western powers would undertake to co-operate with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the Middle East, through the United Nations and on terms consistent with the Charter, in keeping the peace, controlling the traffic in arms and giving economic and technical aid to Middle Eastern nations.

30 and 31. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he will prepare for a Summit Conference by making proposals for keeping Germany and Eastern Europe free of nuclear weapons and for withdrawal of foreign forces from these countries;

(2) whether he will propose that the Summit Conference should discuss withdrawal of opposition to the People's Republic of China taking its seat as a permanent member of the Security Council.

Commander Noble

We would, of course, like to see suitable preparations put in hand without delay, but think it would be premature to suggest now a date for their completion. With regard to the suggestion that particular proposals should be made before a conference takes place, I would ask hon. Members to await the Prime Minister's reply to Mr. Bulganin' s letter of 8th January.

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of people in this country are becoming impatient with the negative attitude of the spokesmen of the Foreign Office and of America whenever Mr. Bulganin' s proposals are made, and that we urgently desire that these summit talks shall be preceded by preparations making for a definite date?

Commander Noble

I quite agree with the hon. Member that many people desire these talks, and Her Majesty's Government are certainly agreeable to a Summit meeting, but we think that suitable preparations must be put in hand and that there must be some agreement on what is to be discussed, where it is to be discussed, when it is to be discussed and by whom it is to be discussed. That, I think, is agreed by the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not a fact that we are having a series of and repetitions from the Government spokesmen week after week? Is it not a fact that there is no disagreement between both sides of the House on the necessity to make preparations? Was there ever an international conference without preparations beforehand? It is beside the point here. Is it not a fact that the last letter but one from Marshal Bulganin itself contained sufficient proposals for an agenda for a conference, sufficiently concrete and sufficiently numerous? Is it not a fact that if we go on for some time without fixing a date, all kinds of recriminations will take place as to who is responsible for the continued delay?

Commander Noble

I am very glad to hear the right hon. Gentleman say that both sides of the House are relatively close together on this point, but I disagree with him when he says that Mr. Bulganin in his last letter but one put forward an appropriate agenda.

Mr. Bevan

A proposed agenda.

Commander Noble

It is only right that we should put forward our own proposals. The right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that we are preparing the reply to Mr. Bulganin' s most recent letter, and I would ask the House to await that.

Mr. Zilliacus

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that preparations for the conference include putting forward proposals as the basis of negotiation? Does he further agree that if the Government cling to the policy of trying to make the Russians accept a United Germany and N.A.T.O., or cling to the policy of building anti-Soviet alliances in the Middle East, they will be responsible for the failure of the summit talks before they have begun? Will they accept the need for making a fresh approach and putting forward proposals which give some chance of agreement by negotiation?

Commander Noble

I think the House agrees it is very important that there should be an agreed agenda.

Mr. Bevan

The right hon. Gentleman answered a very large number of Questions. Will he give us any idea when the reply will be ready?

Commander Noble

I cannot say exactly when it will be ready, but it will be produced as soon as possible.

Mr. Bevan

Approximately when?

Commander Noble

In the next week or So.

Mr. Bevan

In 1958?

Commander Noble

In 1958, I am glad to be able to reassure the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Is it not contradictory to hold a Summit Conference and at the same time to extend the nuclear arms race into the most explosive part of Europe? Would not a nuclear-free area be the most likely point of agreement, seeing that it is for the benefit of both sides?

Commander Noble

The hon. Member has perhaps forgotten that in the four-Power proposals for disarmament, which were approved by 57 countries of the United Nations, there were very broad proposals for inspection, both in the air and on the ground.

32. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make arrangements to return from Ankara via Moscow in order to initiate preparations for an early Summit Conference on Europe and the Middle East.

Commander Noble

No, Sir.

Mr. Warbey

Are we always to have that answer from the Government? Can they not think of a new one? Since the Prime Minister has already stated that he favours in principle a Summit Conference, provided there is adequate preparation, could not the Foreign Secretary start preparations now by flying from Ankara to Moscow—or is there any reason to doubt that he would be welcome in Moscow?

Commander Noble

The hon. Gentleman complains that he always gets the answer "No" to his questions. Of course, it really depends on the sort of questions he asks.