§ 28. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will make an official broadcast to the nation before the Summit Conference.
§ The Prime MinisterIt would, I think, be more in keeping with mountaineering tradition if I were to reserve my breath for the last stages of the ascent itself.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that those were not the views which he held when he broadcast on foreign affairs two years ago on 4th January? He did not spare his breath on that occasion, but said that we could start by a solemn pact of non-aggression, which had been done before, that it would do no harm and it might do good. Is he aware that Mr. Khrushchev accepted this proposal of his for a pact of non-aggression at Moscow, and that he also offered to sign with his allies? Would it not be a good thing if the Prime Minister returned to this, and, if he did, 23 would he not get popular support in this country?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not feel that there is any great need at the moment for increasing my popular support in the country or in the House of Commons. What we have now got is that the Summit is going to take place. I worked very hard for this, and there have been many setbacks and disappointments, but I think that the House as a whole is glad that it is to take place, How we are to make a success of it, what we can best hope to get out of it and how best to negotiate in it are very difficult problems, and I do not honestly think that for me to make a broadcast the day before setting out would be the best preliminary for such negotiations.
Mr. H. WilsonApart from any suggestion of a broadcast, may I ask the Prime Minister what kind of arrangement, if any, the Government are proposing for a full debate in this House before the Summit Conference so that hon. Members in all parts of the House may express their views on this very important gathering?
§ The Prime MinisterThat might be raised through the usual channels.
§ 34. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister, in view of Mr. Khrushchev's forthcoming visit to Great Britain after the Summit Conference, if he will state what arrangements have been made in connection with it.
§ The Prime MinisterNo such arrangements have been made.
§ Mr. HughesIn the event of the success of the Summit Conference, for which we all pray, would it not be a good thing to invite to London leading world statesmen, such as Mr. Khrushchev, so as to inaugurate a period of world peace and disarmament, and. in fact, of world government?
§ The Prime MinisterI am hoping for some success at the Summit, but I Jo not think I can hope to go quite so tar as the hon. and learned Gentleman suggests.
§ 35. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will state what agreements he has reached with the various Powers which will be repre- 24 sented at the Summit Conference as to its limits and as to the subjects to be discussed there.
§ The Prime MinisterI think it is generally understood by the four Governments who are to be represented at the Summit Conference that each of the participants will be free to raise any topic he may wish.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Prime Minister realise that this is a matter of life and death to millions of people and that the British people, as a democracy, are entitled to be informed on the matters set out in my Question? Will he. therefore, make a public statement?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is because it is such an important matter—the holding of this Summit Conference, for which I and my colleagues have worked so hard and so long—that I think it is very important not to jeopardise the negotiations by binding statements. It would make the negotiations almost impossible if each side is tied to this or that position before the Conference even begins.