HC Deb 19 February 1963 vol 672 cc239-40
Q7. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Prime Minister what reply he has received from President Kennedy to his representations that British ships trading with Cuba should suffer no restrictions from trading also with the United States of America.

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal gave the hon. Gentleman on 11th February.

Mr. Thomas

The right hon. Gentleman did not tell me anything. Is the Prime Minister aware that I thought I would receive a better reply from him? Is he also aware that there is great anxiety that we shall be pushed about in this matter, and that, as he told us the other day that this country must be free to trade with all the world, we expect Her Majesty's Government to make this clear beyond a peradventure to the U.S.A.?

The Prime Minister

Yes. But that is just what my right hon. Friend did say to the hon. Member. He said: We have made clear throughout that we do not approve of any restriction on freedom of navigation in times of peace."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th February, 1963; Vol. 671, c. 122.] In point of fact we have discussed this and representations have been made, although the effect at the moment is very little.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Will the Prime Minister transmit to President Kennedy the evidence of many Conservative visitors to Cuba who have borne witness to the fact that the American economic measures have only strengthened Cuban support for Castro?

The Prime Minister

This is a very complicated question, upon which I really would not like to express a view off the cuff.

Mr. Warbey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the American Administration have recently boasted that they have reduced free world trade with Cuba to one-tenth of its former level? Does the Prime Minister really think that that is a sensible way of trying to free Cuba from domination by the Soviet bloc?

The Prime Minister

The position that still remains in Cuba is one that causes the Administration of the United States considerable anxiety; especially in relation to the very large number—about 17,000 or 18,000—Russian troops who are, in a sense, occupying the country.