§ 42. Mr. Swinglerasked the Prime Minister if he will now propose to the heads of Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet 29 Socialist Republics, and France, the calling of an early Summit meeting to consider proposals for peace, disarmament, and the improvement of international relations.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes), on 8th November and to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) on 20th December.
Mr. SwingterWill the Prime Minister say that, if he will not take this step now, he will in the very near future make such a proposal? While T appreciate President Kennedy's natural desire for private exchanges with other heads of State now, may I ask the Prime Minister also to bear in mind that the world is continuing to spend El million on armaments every quarter of an hour and that this is the most urgent question to be tackled? Will the Prime Minister, therefore, make this proposal to the other heads of State in the very near future?
§ The Prime MinisterThese are all important questions. I am asked to bear them in mind. Alas, I think they are always in one's mind. The problem is what is the best method at this particular moment of time to make a forward advance. After the failure of the Summit Conference in Paris, the three Western Powers issued a statement that they were ready to take part in negotiations at any suitable time in the future. That remains the view of Her Majesty's Government and, I think, of the two other Western Powers.