HC Deb 19 May 1958 vol 588 cc862-3
4. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are now the main obstacles to arranging a Foreign Ministers' meeting to prepare for summit talks.

16. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken since the North Atlantic Organisation Conference at Copenhagen to arrange a meeting of Foreign Ministers as a preliminary to a Summit Conference.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

There are no obstacles, but the Ambassadors in Moscow have only just begun their exchanges of views with the Soviet Government.

Mr. Swingler

In view of the long delay, and if it is true that there are no obstacles, why will the Foreign Secretary not now propose a date, at any rate for the Foreign Secretaries' meeting? We have been pressing for a date for the summit talks. Would it not be constructive to propose a definite date for this meeting so that they might get on with the job?

Mr. Lloyd

I could no disagree more with the hon. Gentleman. These discussions through the diplomatic channels have begun not unhopefully. I think it has been agreed, in principle, that the discussions shall be in confidence, which, I think, is a good thing. I do think there is a real prospect of a business-like exchange of views on the subject of the matters to be considered on the agenda, and, as I say, I think that the talks have begun not unhopefully. I do not think it would be helpful to try to fix a date.

Mr. Fletcher

Does the Foreign Secretary seriously think that there are any prospects of a Summit Conference being held this year?

Mr. Lloyd

Certainly, I do, if there is the will to carry forward these preparations; and the beginning, as I have said, has been not unpromising.

Mr. S. Silverman

Since the necessity or the desirability of a Summit Conference arises out of the fact that the Foreign Ministers of the various Powers concerned have so far been unable to agree, what exactly is the purpose of having a meeting of those Foreign Ministers before the Summit Conference?

Mr. Lloyd

The answer to that is that it is because the Soviet Government suggested it. But the point, leaving legalities out, is to get some genuine negotiation going, and I have just said that I think this has begun not unpromisingly in the first discussions.

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