§ 31. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with Mr. Allen Dulles, head of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, during Mr. Dulles' official visit to the Foreign Office on 16th June last.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNo, Sir. In fact. I was in Holland on that day.
§ Mr. LiptonIs not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, according to reliable Press reports, Mr. Dulles spent an hour and a quarter at the Foreign Office with the permanent head of that Department? Were they talking about the latest "pop" records, or was an opportunity taken to let this distinguished visitor know what the British Government's attitude was to U2 flights or, conversely, did we get any advice from Mr. Dulles on how best to coordinate modern policy and intelligence activities.
§ Mr. LloydOf course Mr. Dulles, in the course of his visit, paid a call at the Foreign Office and saw the Permanent 1363 Under-Secretary. I should have been very surprised if he had not. Of course, they had a discussion, but I have no intention of revealing to the hon. Gentleman confidential information of that sort. If one did reveal what took place in those discussions they would obviously become valueless.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerDid Her Majesty's Government receive an assurance such as that given by the American Government to Pakistan and Norway that bases in Britain will not be used for U2 flights?