Q7. Mr. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the latest Soviet proposal for a non-aggression pact between the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the Warsaw Pact, he will discuss with President Kennedy the inclusion of such a pact as part of an agreement on general disarmament.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Soviet proposal concerns our other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies as well as the United States and ourselves. We shall be discussing all aspects of it with them.
Mr. HendersonWould not the serious negotiations to which the right hon. Gentleman referred last week be more likely if the Government were to produce a draft agreement drawing on the best of both the United States and Soviet plans, as was suggested by the Foreign Secretary in March last year? Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the excellent document issued by the Labour Party yesterday constitutes the basis of a new British initiative?
§ The Prime MinisterWith regard to the first part of the right hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question, that is exactly what our proposals are. They are based on the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' proposals and are all amalgamated in the plan put forward by the Americans with our support. Discussions are now proceeding on a test ban agreement, and I should not like—nor would it help towards a solution for me to do so—to make any statement today.
Mr. H. WilsonIn view of the statement by President Kennedy in his interview with, I believe, Izvestia, that he would welcome a non-aggression pact between N.A.T.O. and the Warsaw Pact countries, will the Prime Minister say whether he has lent his support to what the President said?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. This matter is related to three questions. First, the non-aggression pact adds to some degree, but not really much, to the obligations we all have under the United Nations Charter. Nevertheless, I would welcome it. Secondly, and perhaps much more important, there are the disarmament discussions. Thirdly, there is the test ban agreement which is now at a 1446 stage when I do not think that it would be helpful for me to say anything today.
Mr. HendersonWill the right hon. Gentleman clear up one point? Did he not refer last week to a proposal in relation to surprise attack? Do we understand from his reply today that the Government have put forward a compromise plan, based on the other two plans, in respect of general disarmament as distinct from merely surprise attack?
§ The Prime MinisterI should have added that the fourth issue is the question of surprise attack. All this would be comprised, if negotiations can proceed effectively, in a plan which could include them all.