§ Q1. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the new deadlock at Geneva, he will propose to President Kennedy and Mr. Khrushchev that the three Foreign Ministers should again participate in the 17-Power Conference in order to reach a nuclear test ban agreement.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)We are in constant touch with the United States Government on all matters connected with the nuclear tests negotiations, and in particular on how the present deadlock might be 627 broken. If it seems to us that the time is ripe for another meeting of the three Foreign Ministers at Geneva, we shall not hesitate to propose this.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a fact that the three Foreign Ministers have not participated at the Geneva Conference for more than 12 months? Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that certain major and clear points of difference have emerged at the conference which should now be negotiated by the Foreign Ministers? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider suggesting to President Kennedy and Mr. Khrushchev that the time has now come for the Foreign Ministers to return to the conference?
§ The Prime MinisterI will bear that in mind. I repeat that I am in very close touch with the President on the best method of handling the situation now.