§ Q2. Mr. Molloyasked the Prime Minister what measures have been undertaken to arrive at agreement with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in concluding the treaty of friendship and peaceful co-operation; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have as yet nothing to add to the information I gave the House on 25th January.—[Vol. 757. c. 587.]
§ Mr. MolloyWould my right hon. Friend agree that this valuable start he has participated in and negotiated with the Soviet Union could lead to the establishment of a security and peace council, which has been proposed from both sides of the Iron Curtain? Will he take advantage of his last visit to the Soviet Union to encourage progress in this direction?
§ The Prime MinisterIn my report to the House last Thursday I answered two 1087 Questions on a treaty of friendship and peaceful co-operation. I stressed the importance of our discussions on other bilateral matters, particularly trade, navigation and other questions. I also stressed what my hon. Friend has just mentioned, our decision to work together in preparation for a European security conference.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn view of the profession, repeated quite recently by the Soviet Union, of friendship and peaceful co-operation, when he was in Moscow did my right hon. Friend care to ask those whom he met—Mr. Kosygin and the others—what they were doing in the Mediterranean and whether this was a demonstration of friendship and peaceful co-operation?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not certain that the Soviet Union have a treaty of friendship and peaceful co-operation with some of the countries I assume my right hon. Friend has in mind, but we certainly discussed the Middle East very fully and everything that could be done by the Soviet Union and Britain to help to reduce tension in that area.