§ 3. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Geneva Conference on safeguards against surprise attack.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI regret that I cannot go into details, as it has been agreed that the proceedings of this conference shall be confidential.
Although the conference has already lasted more than two weeks, it has still not embarked on the joint technical study of the problem which it was supposed to make. Unfortunately, the Soviet and other East European experts persist in raising political questions, which the Western. experts are not authorised to discuss.
Her Majesty's Government sincerely hope that the conference will soon get down to its technical task.
§ Mr. HendersonMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it remains the policy of the Government that they would accept, not only aerial inspection, but also the establishment of ground control posts in British territory, provided that the necessary technical details are worked out at this conference?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreYes, Sir; that is our position.