§ 43. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether he will discuss with President Kennedy at his proposed meeting the possibility of devising an Anglo-American policy aimed at increasing British exports and reducing British imports.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I told the House on 24th January, I look forward to early discussions with the President of the United States about all the international problems which confront us, but it is too soon for firm plans yet to have been made.
§ Mr. WyattWill the Prime Minister read the President's State of the Union Message yesterday, in which he indicated a number of measures for reactivating the American economy, and take a leaf out of his book and not simply rely on the precept that exports are fun?
§ The Prime MinisterI have read the very interesting address of the President, which, no doubt, has been very widely read in this country.
§ Sir H. NichollsIs my right hon. Friend aware that the general view in 779 this country is that it is not a policy in co-operation with another country that is wanted to help our export trade, but a decision here at home to help in direct taxation to encourage more people to enter the export market?
§ The Prime MinisterMost people will agree that there are two aspects of the problem. There is what we can do for ourselves, and we can do a great deal, and are doing it, and will do more. There is also the general state of the world liquidity and the degree of world credit. All these are problems which are international and not only national problems.
§ Mr. GaitskellPending the Prime Minister's talks with the President on these economic matters, have any arrangements been made for visits by officials of the British Government to the United States to prepare the way for these talks?
§ The Prime MinisterPerhaps I could have notice of that question.
§ 45. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister the nature of the consultation he had with the President of the United States of America concerning the debate on colonialism in the United Nations General Assembly in mid-December last; what advice was offered to the United States Government; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 46. Mr. Mayhewasked the Prime Minister what representations he made to President Eisenhower concerning the United States vote on the Afro-Asian resolution on colonialism at the United Nations in December, 1960.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 26th January.
§ Mr. HamiltonI heard those Answers given by the right hon. Gentleman, but will he answer specifically whether representations were made by him to the President of America to abstain in that debate? If so, does he not agree that this was the direct cause of a slap in the eye for the West which need never have taken place?
§ The Prime MinisterI must repeat that with President Eisenhower I had a large number of confidential communi- 780 cations and I hope to have them with the new President. If I were to publish them, they would lose all their value.
§ Mr. MayhewIs there not something wrong with the whole strategy of this country and the Americans at the United Nations if the Russians, with their record in Eastern Europe, can take the initiative on these anti-colonial resolutions and we, with our record in India, Nigeria and elsewhere, are constantly on the defensive? Will the Prime Minister look at this again, perhaps with the American Administration, and take a far more confident and aggressive line on these colonial resolutions at the United Nations?
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful for that question. I attempted as best I could to make some reference to this in a speech which I delivered at the Assembly of the United Nations in the autumn of last year.