HC Deb 04 June 1962 vol 661 cc25-7
17. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the United States-Soviet proposal for a declaration against war propaganda put forward at the Geneva Disarmament Conference and subsequently cancelled by the Soviet Government delegation and if he will make a statement on the general progress of the Conference.

22. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made on an agreement on the prevention of war propaganda and whether he will make a statement on the current negotiations at Geneva on this question.

Mr. P. Thomas

Discussion of War Propaganda took place in the Committee of the Whole at the request of the Soviet bloc delegates They had refused to discuss any of the items which the Western delegates suggested.

After three meetings, the question was referred to the Co-Chairmen (the United States and U.S.S.R. delegates). They produced an agreed Declaration against War Propaganda which was presented to, and approved by, the Committee of the Whole on Friday, 25th May. The U.S.S.R. delegate then said that his Government had already approved the Declaration. When the draft was brought before the Plenary Committee on Tuesday, 29th May, the Soviet delegate withdrew his support. As to the general progress of the Conference, all the delegates have agreed on the draft of a report for the United Nations.

Mr. Henderson

Is it not evident that complete deadlock has been reached at the Geneva Disarmament Conference? Has any consideration been given to having the future sessions of the Conference attended by higher-level Ministers? Has consideration been given to the Foreign Secretary attending the meeting of the General Assembly this week or next week? Has consideration been given to moving this up to a meeting of Heads of Government—a summit conference?

Mr. Thomas

In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, I would not agree that there has been complete deadlock. The Conference is going on. I would suggest that the significance of what has happened lies not so much in the substance of the agreement which was repudiated but in the fact that the Russians themselves repudiated an agreement within a few days of having accepted it. As to the second part of the supplementary question, a Question was tabled to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 31st May and was answered, and I do not think I can add anything further to it.

Mr. Hamilton

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that it is a deplorable waste of time to allow ourselves to be manœuvred into a situation where we accept a Soviet initiative to discuss a proposal on war propaganda and then when we accept their proposals, they immediately withdraw them? Would there not in any case be insuperable difficulties about interpretation even assuming an agreement were reached? Is it not absurd that we should be wasting so much time on this problem when there are much more urgent problems to be dealt with?

Mr. Thomas

I do not think I should be so pessimistic. There have, of course, been many setbacks during the course of the negotiations, and I think that one must accept that setacks will occur in the future. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State said, this was a bitter blow to our Conference, but I do not think we should take the setback too tragically.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Have the Government any plan for the Foreign Ministers to take part in the work of this vitally important Committee? Also, can the hon. Gentleman tell us when the Report which was made to the General Assembly on 1st June will be made available to hon. Members?

Mr. Thomas

I do not think I can add anything to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in answer to the right hon. Gentleman on 31st May, that my noble Friend will be ready to return to Geneva at any time if it appears that he can materially assist progress.

Mr. Noel-Baker

What about the Report? Can we be told when the Government will let hon. Members have a copy of the report which has now been made by the Committee of Eighteen to the General Assembly?

Mr. Thomas

My hon. Friend the Minister of State dealt with that last time he answered Questions, and I hope that the report will be available.