§ Q2. Mr. Winnickasked the Prime Minister what recent consultations he has had with other Prime Ministers over the recent Russian action in Czechoslovakia.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have been in close consultation over the Russian action with Commonwealth, allied and other Governments.
§ Mr. WinnickDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the latest speech by 608 the Russian Communist Party leader justifying Russian military intervention in other Communist countries is very worrying? Does not he agree with his Prime Ministerial colleagues abroad that if Yugoslavia were ever invaded the Yugoslavs would definitely fight back to defend their independence and Socialist homeland?
§ The Prime MinisterThe views of Her Majesty's Government and the whole House were stated in the debate in August. I have nothing to add to what was said then. No more recent speeches or statements in the Soviet Union or elsewhere in any way derogate from what the whole House expressed then.
The second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is hypothetical, and best not dealt with at Question Time.
§ Sir G. NabarroFollowing the Russian action in Czechoslovakia and the statement of the Secretary of State for Defence about increasing British defences in the Mediterranean, is it the Prime Minister's policy to talk to the President of Cyprus, the Prime Minister of Malta and the Prime Minister of Gibraltar, all of which are important British bases?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I look forward to having the pleasure of talking to two of them at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in January. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that when in Gibraltar recently I spent considerable time having discussions with the Chief Minister and his Deputy, and then meeting the whole of his Ministerial team.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIn the event of my right hon. Friend meeting the courageous and distinguished Communist who is Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia, will he congratulate him on not being so foolish as to try to destroy the Russians by armed force?
§ The Prime MinisterThe message that the House would want to send to the Prime Minister, Party Secretary and President of Czechoslovakia was fully expressed in all the speeches in our debate.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIt is only just over a year since the Government decided to liquidate most of the British bases in Malta. Will the Prime Minister reopen 609 discussions with the Prime Minister of Malta?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I do not think that anything that has happened requires any change in the policy in the Mediterranean, apart from what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has announced.