§ Q10. Mr. Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether the statement of Sir David Ormsby-Gore, the British Ambassador in Washington, that the recent speech of Mr. Dean Acheson on the conduct of British foreign policy was much in line with the existing policy of the British Government, was made with his authority.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
The Ambassador's impromptu remarks were made in reply to journalists as he was leaving the State Department after an interview with Mr. Rusk. According to my information, they do not altogether bear the interpretation apparently put upon them by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. FletcherDoes not the First Secretary realise that a great deal of confusion has been caused by the varying reactions of the British Ambassador and the Prime Minister to the speech by Mr. Dean Acheson? Would the right hon. Gentleman care to give us his own reaction?
§ Mr. ButlerMy own reaction is the same as that given by the Prime Minister in reply to Lord Chandos in a letter which was published and universally supported.
§ Mr. GrimondIn spite of his last reply, will the First Secretary agree that the impromptu remarks of the Ambassador were a good deal more sensible than the carefully thought-out remarks of the Prime Minister?
§ Mr. ButlerI think that these remarks should be read together.