§ Q2. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's proposals for an East-West Summit Conference.
§ The Prime MinisterHer Majesty's Government have made no such proposal although, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows, we would not hesitate to do so should we consider that the situation required it.
§ Mr. HendersonIn view of Mr. Khrushchev's statement that he was willing to meet Western leaders in a Summit Conference, may we take it that Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to enter into such a conference 241 if the ground were sufficiently prepared? Are diplomatic conversations taking place with a view to preparing the ground for a Summit Conference?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir; I do not think, especially with respect to a Summit Conference, that conversations are going on with regard to the problem. As the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows, if I thought that the timing was suitable for preparations, I should be very happy to join in such a conference.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanCan the right hon. Gentleman confirm, or possibly deny, the reports that are circulating that, as the price for securing Dr. Adenauer's consent to negotiations about Berlin, an agreement—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The supplementary question must be out of order unless the Prime Minister is responsible for the reports.
§ Mr. SilvermanMr. Speaker, my question was to be not so much about the responsibility for the reports but about what the Government's attitude would be to them.
§ Mr. SpeakerPerhaps the hon. Gentleman could so frame his supplementary question. So far it is out of order.
§ Mr. SilvermanMay I put it this way, Mr. Speaker? Has the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to reports that in the conversations between President Kennedy and Dr. Adenauer, Dr. Adenauer was persuaded to agree to the negotiations about Berlin at the price of the giving up of all ideas about wider negotiations, and can the right hon. Gentleman say what the attitude of Her Majesty's Government would be to any such proposal?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I know nothing of these reports.