§ Q3. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister if he will now invite the President of France to visit this country.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer I gave on 2nd April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster (Mr. Henig).—[Vol. 762, c. 47.]
§ Mr. MartenIn the light of recent events in France, would it not be wise for the right hon. Gentleman to have direct talks with the President to learn straight from him how discontent in a country can quickly lead to rioting?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think there is any need at the present time for me to have talks with the French Head of State. As to the question of rioting, student power, and so on, the hon. Gentleman will have noticed how a certain visitor from France to this country was cut down to size when he got to Britain.
§ Mrs. EwingIs the Prime Minister aware that this is the 800th year of the "Auld Alliance" between Scotland and France and that, by right of law, General de Gaulle can claim citizenship of Scotland. [An HON. MEMBER: "You can have him."] Will he therefore invite General de Gaulle to visit Scotland before the year is out in the hope that the good will engendered will overflow in the direction of the Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterI note what the hon. Lady says, but I have no doubt that the President, whose sense of history is as least as great as hers, will have noted that this is the 800th anniversary.