§ 41. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Prime Minister what discussions he had with the President of the French Republic during his recent visit to London regarding the political problems of the African Continent.
§ The Prime MinisterMy talks with President de Gaulle were confidential, and it would not be proper for me to say what subjects were or were not discussed.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the Prime Minister aware that since France has committed a large part of her N.A.T.O. forces to Algeria, inevitably Britain and the other N.A.T.O. Powers become identified in the eyes of the Africans with France's colonial war? Does he not agree that the great problem of reconciliation between the European and African races in Africa is, like peace, indivisible? Will he, therefore, take advantage of the good will created by President de Gaulle's visit to press on the French Government that they should give recognition to African nationalism in Algeria in the interests of Europe as a whole?
§ The Prime MinisterI should hardly like to be drawn into a discussion of the Algerian problem when the Question I was asked was what I had discussed with the President of the French Republic and my reply was that my discussions were confidential.