MR. KOSYGIN (VISIT TO GREAT BRITAIN)

HC Deb 18 November 1965 vol 720 cc1333-4

Q6. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Prime Minister if the date for Mr. Kosygin's visit to Great Britain has now been fixed.

The Prime Minister

Not yet, Sir.

Mrs. Short

I am rather disappointed with my right hon. Friend's reply. Is my right hon. Friend aware that we on these benches and the majority of people in this country long passionately for progress on two aspects on which we are fully committed, namely, a nuclear-free Europe and a non-proliferation treaty? Will my right hon. Friend, therefore, do all in his power to assure Mr. Kosygin that he will be our most welcome visitor and that we on our part are very anxious to make progress?

Mr. Speaker

Even hon. Ladies must not be too long in their questions.

The Prime Minister

I am disappointed at my reply, too. But, as I have already told the House, I have been having exchanges with Mr. Kosygin now over a considerable period, and I spoke about it the other evening. The next step now is the visit of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to Moscow to see if we can get near enough to justify an exchange of visits, whether by Mr. Kosygin coming here or by my going to Moscow.