HC Deb 10 June 1958 vol 589 cc35-6
51. Mr. Swingler

asked the Prime Minister why he sent a message of congratulation to General de Gaulle on his investiture as French Prime Minister.

56. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Prime Minister why, in view of the circumstances in which General de Gaulle acceded to power, he considered it desirable to send the General a message of congratulation couched in the particular terms used.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend's message to the Prime Minister of France was designed to accord with the spirit of friendship between this country and France.

Mr. Swingler

Are we to take it that it is now routine custom for the Prime Minister to send a message of congratulation to all incoming Prime Ministers? Whilst nothing can, of course, change General de Gaulle's historic reputation as a great war leader, is not the Lord Privy Seal aware that he came into power as the result of a blackmailing threat of armed rebellion and immediately sent the French Parliament packing? How do congratulations serve the interests of either discretion or democracy?

Mr. Butler

I think there is nothing unprecedented or improper in the Prime Minister sending a message of congratulation to another Prime Minister, nor can I find anything that is open to criticism in the terms of my right hon. Friend's message. In fact, so much so, that although the messages have been published, if it will suit the House, I will arrange for them to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. F. M. Bennett

Does my right hon. Friend know if the Leader of the Opposition has yet sent a telegram of congratulations to his Socialist confrères in General de Gaulle's cabinet?

Mr. Zilliacus

Whilst appreciating the desirability of maintaining the best possible relations between this country and France, would it not have been desirable, if a special message had to be sent, to indicate that the people of this country would look with disfavour upon the French Republic being subverted by Fascism and by rebellious generals?

Mr. Butler

I am not aware that such an interpertation would be accepted even by General de Gaulle himself.