HC Deb 27 July 1967 vol 751 c969
Q6. Mr. Marten

asked the Prime Minister how often he has used the hot line to President Johnson.

The Prime Minister

President Johnson and I are in frequent touch by a number of methods, but it would not be in the public interest to give details.

Mr. Marten

I am sure that it would be of very great interest to the public to know of some examples of the political intimacy that exists between the President and the Prime Minister. Has the hot line ever been used operationally by the Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister

I can certainly say that, of course, it has been used operationally, but as to the number of times it has been used and for what purpose it was used, it has never been the practice of either myself or my predecessors to give details. The hon. Gentleman, with his well known interest in and knowledge of electronic matters, will recognise that this is not the only hot means of communication I have with the President. Others are very frequently used, too.