§ 46. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the difficulties with the Common Market Plan and the need for expanding trade, he will, in Moscow, explore the possibility of reaching agreement for economic co-operation in Europe on the basis of the proposals first made by the Soviet Government to the Economic Committee for Europe of the United Nations in April, 1956, and repeated in 1957.
§ The Prime MinisterThe main purpose of the visit is to have an exploratory exchange of views on world problems. The talks will be confidential and I am not prepared to disclose in advance what particular points will be raised by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. ZilliacusWhile we quite understand the point made by the Prime Minister, may I ask whether he will bear in mind the importance of all-European economic co-operation in connection with the expanding of trade, in the present situation? In that connection, may I inquire whether something can be done on the basis of these proposals, which were favourably received by the Economic Commission for Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly bear in mind any contribution to this problem, including contributions made by the hon. Gentleman.
§ 47. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Prime Minister whether he will indicate the recent developments, international or other, that induced him to take the initiative, now, to signify his acceptance of the standing Soviet invitation, first tendered to and accepted by his predecessor in April, 1956.
§ The Prime MinisterI made a full statement to the House on 5th February, and I do not think that any further clarification is required.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs the Prime Minister aware that there is a very widespread impression that there is a connection between the term of office of the Government and the date of his acceptance of the invitation for this visit? Will he give more specific reasons why he is going now?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman should not necessarily apply to other people his own standards of conduct.
§ 48. Mr. S. Silvermanasked the Prime Minister whether, on the occasion of his visit to Moscow, he will consider with Mr. Khrushchev the possibility of a solution of the German problem along lines similar to those of the Austrian Peace Treaty.
§ 49. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister whether, in his conversations at Moscow he will explore the possibility of uniting Germany by other means than by free elections.
§ 50. Mr. Swinglerasked the Prime Minister if, in his conversations in Moscow, he will discuss with Mr. Khrushchev the possibility of negotiating a German Peace Treaty on the lines of the Austrian Peace Treaty.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on Tuesday last.
§ Mr. SilvermanDoes not the Prime Minister agree that in the case of Austria the withdrawal of all foreign troops and the Treaty by which Austria undertook not to form part of any military alliance on either side has greatly profited Austrian independence and prosperity as well as the cause of peace in Europe? Is there any real reason why the principles applied to Austria so successfully should not be 1352 applied to the much bigger and more serious problem of Germany?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand the point the hon. Member is making, but I would remind him that in Austria there were free elections.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Prime Minister aware that, since he gave the two replies to which he has referred, in The Times of today there is a statement which says that Dr. Adenauer is now thinking in terms of a de facto recognition of Eastern Germany in return, of course, for concessions? In view of that statement, would the Prime Minister consider discussing with Mr. Khrushchev the possibility of creating a body which could speak for both parts of Germany on external affairs and, later on, would he also think of discussing that with Dr. Adenauer when he goes to Western Germany?
§ The Prime MinisterThat, of course, is an entirely different question from the one on the Paper.
§ Mr. SwinglerWould the Prime Minister agree that there is no purpose in his visit to Moscow unless it be to discuss with Mr. Khrushchev proposals which have some chance of acceptance on both sides—in the West and in the East—and that the proposal which has most chance of acceptance is some form of disengagement plan which involves the exclusion of at any rate a large part of Central Europe from the rival military blocs? The Prime Minister: That again is a different question from those I am answering, but I can understand that if discussions are to be fruitful all kinds of points of view must be put forward and, as the hon. Member says, we must try to reach something which will be satisfactory to both sides.
§ Mr. J. HyndWill the Prime Minister make clear, in view of the supplementary question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman), that the Austrian solution involved Austria remaining outside military alliances entirely, by the free decision of Austria itself? Would he agree that that would be a suitable principle to apply in this case?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the hon. Member was quoting some words I used when I said that I do not see how a 1353 country could be free unless it was free to make its own foreign policy. These are very difficult matters. We must try to treat them objectively and I do not want to get tied down to this or that point of view; nor especially, if I may say so, do I want to get into the rivalry of the various Motions on the Order Paper from both sides of the Opposition.
§ 51. Mr. Grimondasked the Prime Minister if, during his visit to Russia and any subsequent visits to other countries, he will discuss the limitation of the number of countries making and testing nuclear bombs.
§ The Prime MinisterI have already told the House that I should prefer not to indicate beforehand which specific subjects we would wish to discuss in Moscow.
§ Mr. GrimondWhile appreciating that, may I ask if the Prime Minister would agree that, while it may be necessary for the West as a whole to keep the nuclear deterrent until there is a disarmament agreement, it is very alarming if increasing numbers of countries on both sides of the world are to arm themselves with these bombs, which is quite unnecessary to preserve the present balance?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the most urgent question is to see whether we can reach a satisfactory conclusion of the Geneva Conference.
§ 52. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Prime Minister what further consultations he had with President Eisenhower, as a preliminary to his proposed Moscow visit, on the question of disengagement in Central Europe.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have frequently told the House, such consultations as I have with President Eisenhower are private and confidential.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the Prime Minister agree that millions of people in Britain would like to see a British Government, whichever party were in power, speaking for Britain and not always having to consult on its policy before its representatives undertake a very important diplomatic trip? That is true of American people. Millions of Americans would like to see a British Government taking a lead different from that taken by some members of the State Department.
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Member recalls the statement I made about ten days ago, he will know that I made it clear that my initiative to visit Russia was taken on my own responsibility and I informed our Allies of it.