§ Q5. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister what was the purpose of his recent official conversations in London with General Maxwell Taylor of the United States of America; and to what extent he discussed with him the questions of the independent nuclear deterrent and the proposal to strengthen British forces in Germany.
§ The Prime MinisterGeneral Maxwell Taylor, who is an old friend from the days of the Mediterranean Campaign, called to see me at my request. Our talk was confidential.
§ Mr. HughesSince there have been widespread statements in newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic that the purpose of this visit was to make the Government change their defence policy and to bring pressure on the Government to introduce some form of conscription, will the Prime Minister give an assurance that he gave no such pledge at all to reintroduce conscription?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the hon. Gentleman said that that was the purpose of the General's visit. Had that been so, General Maxwell Taylor would, no doubt, have asked to see me. What actually happened was that as he was coming to London and as he is an old friend of mine, I asked him to call on me.