§ Q3. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Prime Minister to what extent he reached agreement with Chancellor Erhard on a policy of disengagement and the establishment of a zone in Europe free of nuclear weapons, foreign forces and military alliances, comprising both Germanys, Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, and limiting and putting under international supervision the conventional forces of these States.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to the communiqué issued after the German Chancellor's visit which was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 26th May.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs my right hon. Friend aware that the German Chancellor, on his return to Germany, reported to the Bundestag that complete agreement had been reached between the two Governments on all essential questions concerning the present international situation? Was such agreement reached over German and European security on the basis of the Labour Party policy which is summarised in my Question, or was it reached on some other basis and, if so, what?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend always preserves to himself the right to interpret Labour Party policy. But, so far as disengagement is concerned, I explained the position of the Government, which is in full accordance with party policy over many years, in the debate which we had in July of last year.
§ Lord BalnielHas the right hon. Gentleman forgotten what Labour Party policy was? At the time of the last election, was it not to seek to create nuclear-free zones? May I ask him what initiatives have been taken by the Government, and will he perhaps respond to the frequent requests from his back benches to publish a statement indicating progress in disarmament talks?
§ The Prime MinisterI have answered many questions on this in the House and referred to it in a number of foreign affairs debates. Our position on nuclear-free zones was discussed with the German Government as long ago as March, 1965, and has been repeatedly discussed since then with our other allies. The position is that we should like to see nuclear-free zones, on condition that the zones are not only free of missiles stationed within those areas but of missiles targeted on those areas.
§ Mr. HoosonCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether in his talks with the German Chancellor or otherwise he has ever suggested that there should he exploratory talks between representatives of the N.A.T.O. Powers and representatives of the Warsaw Pact Powers with a view to seeing what possibilities there are for a détente in Europe?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. and learned Member will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made that point in recent N.A.T.O. meetings, and the point was made again 249 by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. I think that it is very important that further progress should be made in this direction, not necessarily by a straight confrontation between N.A.T.O. and Warsaw Pact representatives in such discussions, but certainly on agreed lines in a whole series of bilateral discussions.
§ Mr. HefferDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that there is an entirely new situation in Europe at present, with the great possibility of a solution to the European problem? Has he given consideration to the idea which has been floated by the Russians, the French and others of a European security conference in order to try to reach agreement on a European security pact?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree with my hon. Friend that there are opportunities for improved relations and a relaxation of tension between East and West in Europe. On the question of a security conference, we have always taken the view that it is important that such a conference, when it takes place, should be successful a id should not be a place where we get propaganda statements or the set positions of both sides. That is why we need a lot of patient discussion bilaterally between ourselves and the Soviet Union, and between other Eastern and Western European countries first.