HC Deb 24 February 1959 vol 600 cc945-6
45. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent, or intends to send, to the letter to him from the Secretary of Mastrick Congregational Church, Aberdeen, enclosing a resolution passed unanimously at its church meeting on 26th January, 1959, urging Her Majesty's Government to take, in relation to nuclear weapons, certain steps in co-operation with other Powers.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

The letter has been acknowledged and the Secretary informed that the terms of the resolution have been noted.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Leader of the House realise that the resolution was a reasoned, constructive and polite one which deserved a reply on a similar plane? The resolution was dated 26th January; is not it time that a reply was sent?

Mr. Butler

The acknowledgment which was sent seemed to me to be in courteous terms. I agree that the resolution—of which I have a copy here—is a comprehensive and constructive one, as indeed it should be in dealing with such a very large subject as this, one of such importance to the world, in the middle of an important and serious negotiation.