§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have to inform the House that arrangements are being made for President de Gaulle to address Members of both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall on the morning of Thursday, 7th April. The details will be notified later. Seats will 424 be available for all right hon. and hon. Members wishing to attend together with their wives.
It is hoped that hon. Members will be good enough to notify their intention to attend to Mr. Speaker's Secretary, if possible by Tuesday, 22nd March.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether President de Gaulle is likely to answer questions, and whether he will be able to inform us why he has got rid of American bases in France and state the case why we should do the came too?
§ Mr. ButlerThe President's speech will be entirely at his own discretion, which is the common precedent for such distinguished occasions. I think it unlikely that the President will answer questions, even if the hon. Member were able to phrase them in French.
§ Mr. GaitskellI was about to ask whether the President will be speaking in French and, if so, whether there will be a translator.
§ Mr. ButlerThat matter has not been finally decided. Perhaps we could have a word about it.