§ Q1. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister what proposals he has made to President Kennedy for raising the status and accelerating the work of the Committee of 18 Nations on Disarmament, when it reassembles in Geneva on 12th November.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)Owing to the debate on disarmament in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, it was unfortunately not possible for the Geneva Conference to reconvene on 12th November. The Conference will now reconvene on 26th November and I hope that the negotiations will be resumed with renewed urgency. We shall certainly do whatever we can to hasten progress towards an agreement.
I think that the Geneva Committee or Conference is the body best suited to do the kind of detailed work that is needed: and I have the fullest confidence in the 557 Minister of State who leads the United Kingdom delegation. I would not propose any change of status.
We are in constant touch with the Americans and other allies on these matters, but any communications I may have with President Kennedy must remain confidential.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerDoes the Prime Minister recall writing to Mr. Khrushchev in February, saying that the work of the Committee of 18 was the most important and most urgent task confronting all Governments, and that he would take personal responsibility for a supreme effort being made? Does he think that the work of the Committee up to date is his supreme effort?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the work is going on well. Progress has been made. I am not at all without hope that by this process of detailed negotiation we shall move into a position in which we can either get agreement or get the ground ready for high-level discussions.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan the Prime Minister say what the attitude of Her Majesty's Government is to the Polish Government's proposals, in their revised form, for a zone of controlled disarmament in Central Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a detailed part of negotiations on which I would prefer to have notice of the exact question raised.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord Privy Seal gave the House the impression that Her Majesty's Government had adopted a wholly negative attitude to this proposal? Will he consult his right hon. Friend and try to achieve thereby a more satisfactory answer?
§ The Prime MinisterI thought that that referred to the so-called old Rapacki proposal. I understand that there is now a new Rapacki proposal.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerDoes the Prime Minister realise that the main difficulty in the Committee of 18 has not been about inspection, as is generally believed, but because of the differences which have arisen concerning the measure of disarmament which should be carried out in the early stages? Will 558 he address himself to considering whether we could make more adequate proposals?
§ The Prime MinisterYes. Our American and other allies, and ourselves, have made proposals, and I think that it is much better that the negotiations should continue.