HC Deb 31 March 1960 vol 620 cc1505-7
Mr. Warbey

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with President Eisenhower regarding the conclusion of an agreement for the banning of nuclear weapon tests.

Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a state ment on his recent discussions with President Eisenhower on the Soviet proposals for a ban on nuclear tests.

Mr. Healey

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on his discussions with President Eisen hower regarding the negotiations for a ban on nuclear tests.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend intends to make a statement to the House tomorrow.

Mr. Warbey

In the meantime, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the whole House and the whole country will welcome the agreement in principle of the Prime Minister and the President to the recent Soviet proposals? May we have an assurance that the remaining matters of negotiation will be dealt with with sufficient flexibility by the British Government as to ensure that an early agreement is reached on the permanent banning of nuclear tests?

Mr. Butler

I am sure my right hon. Friend and the House will be gratified by the observations of the hon. Member. It is rare that we get applause from that quarter. I shall certainly pass it on to my right hon. Friend. I have just heard that he has arrived back in this country. He would willingly have made a statement today had his plane arrived in time. I feel certain the House will await with interest the statement he is to make at the earliest possible moment, namely, tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock.

Mr. Healey

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the statement, the Prime Minister will refer to the extraordinary statements attributed to him regarding Britain's relations with the Common Market?

Mr. Butler

The statement will be on the subject of these Questions. I do not think it will refer to the subject the hon. Member has referred to. I should prefer to meet the Prime Minister before I gave an answer to that supplementary question.