§ 50. Mr. Wiggasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to reorganise the Foreign Office so as to ease the burden of the Foreign Secretary when he is engaged in important international negotiations; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 53. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister, in view of the burdens at present resting on the Foreign Secretary, what proposals he has for increasing the British delegation at Geneva.
§ The Prime MinisterI am satisfied that my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary is able to deal both with the work of the Conference and with the other matters which are referred to him at Geneva.
§ Mr. WiggWould the Prime Minister be good enough to clear this up once and for all by stating categorically whether in the past few weeks he has discussed the Foreign Secretary's future or his work at the Foreign Office with either the Foreign Secretary or Sir William Haley?
§ The Prime MinisterThat has nothing whatever to do with either of the Questions.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn view of the recent references to the Foreign Secretary's position, can the Prime Minister indicate the possible source of this criticism and whether there is any intention or any attempt on the part of the elements in the West German Government or even in the United States of America to sabotage the Summit Conference? Would the Prime Minister make it quite clear that we in this country want to encourage every effort to promote the Summit talks?
§ The Prime MinisterAlthough this does not arise out of the Questions, I am very grateful for yet another piece of evidence of the degree of confidence which the whole House and the country feel in the Foreign Secretary.