HC Deb 15 July 1963 vol 681 cc15-6
15. Mr. Cronin

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a further statement on the purpose of the proposed official visit to Moscow of the Lord President of the Council.

Mr. Heath

The Lord President of the Council and Mr. Harriman begin their talks with Soviet representatives in Moscow today. I know that the whole House will wish them success.

On the purpose of the visit, I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the House on 3rd July and to the Answers which he gave to Questions on 9th and 11th July.

Mr. Cronin

While, obviously, hon. Members on both sides of the House wish the Lord President the greatest possible success on this occasion and while any more specific supplementary question would be inappropriate today, could the Lord Privy Seal simply indicate that the Government are aware that this is a unique psychological opportunity to achieve an agreement? Could the right hon. Gentleman also assure the House that the Lord President is in a flexible situation from the point of view of the negotiations?

Mr. Heath

The Prime Minister explained our attitude towards this matter. We want Mr. Khrushchev to know exactly what the position is and we want to achieve an agreement.