§ 40. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister to what extent his talks with Mr. Khrushchev on the Berlin issue have led to delay in replying to the Note sent to him by the Soviet Government on 26th September.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)Her Majesty's Government's reply to the Soviet Note on 26th September was delivered on 26th October. My talks with Mr. Khrushchev had no effect upon its timing.
§ Mr. RankinCan the Prime Minister tell us why the reply written three weeks after the receipt of the Soviet Note was not sent? What alteration was made in the reply of 26th October to which he has just referred? Was it due to the fact that there was some fundamental discord between Britain, France and Germany on the terms of the reply? Will he publish both replies?
§ The Prime MinisterThe British reply was published on 27th October. As to the delay, of course it takes some time to make all the necessary consultations with allied Governments and to bring us all into complete harmony on every point. That is the purpose of these consultations. It is, of course, quite true that, if one has allies, one does not 826 answer quite so quickly as one might if one were in single control and took not very much notice of the States which depended upon one.