§ 45. Mr. Liptonasked the Prime Minister what messages or communications he has received during the past week from Mr. Khrushchev.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have been asked to reply.
The last message which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister received from 394 Mr. Khrushchev was dated 23rd April and dealt with nuclear tests. My right hon. Friend has since received a letter from Lord Montgomery which consisted of a message of goodwill from Mr. Khrushchev.
§ Mr. LiptonWould it not strike Mr. Khrushchev and others as rather odd that a personal message which he gave to Lord Montgomery had in the end to be sent by post? Is there any reason for the unusual coyness of the Prime Minister and Lord Montgomery to meet and have a friendly chat about this visit?
§ Mr. ButlerNo. There was no question of this meassage being sent "in the end" by post. It was sent in the beginning by post. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has not seen Lord Montgomery, nor has Lord Montgomery asked to see him.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs it the case that all these mysterious visits by Lord Montgomery and the visit of the former Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill), to America are all taking place by accident and are in no way guided or directed by the Prime Minister?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Prime Minister has always taken the view, as the Prime Minister of a free country, that the free citizens of a free country, especially when endowed with especial talent, are entitled to do what they like.