HC Deb 09 December 1969 vol 793 cc236-8
Q6. Mr. Marten

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to pay an official visit to the President of the United States of America.

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 20th November.—[Vol. 791, c. 1509–12.]

Mr. Marten

On the assumption that the Prime Minister will be discussing the Middle East with the President of the United States, will he tell the President about the mounting anxiety in this country, particularly in the light of recent events, over the Government's decision to make what is really a premature withdrawal from east of Suez?

The Prime Minister

I will make it my business to draw the President's attention to that supplementary question, because I know that he always wants to see HANSARD every day to see what the hon. Gentleman is saying—[Interruption.] Well, if the hon. Gentleman wants this drawn to the President's attention, I can think of no better way of doing it.

In my discussions with President Nixon, this matter has not come up from the American side, and did not come up from the American side when I visited President Johnson in February, 1968, immediately after the announcement in this House. There was far more controversy in this House on party grounds on this question than there was in the United States.

Mr. Winnick

With reference to my right hon. Friend's visit to President Nixon in January, can he tell the House whether he read the editorial on Vietnam in today's Daily Mirror?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. I not only read that editorial with interest, but I read the editorial in yesterday's Daily Mirror—or was it in the Sunday Mirror?—immediately ahead of yesterday's debate, and I gave to the House yesterday what I thought was the right view for the country to take in present circumstances. It will be on that basis that I will discuss this matter with President Nixon, though I notice that since the debate we had yesterday President Nixon has come out very categorically indeed on certain questions on which anxiety was expressed here yesterday.

Mr. Amery

Can the Prime Minister assure us that he will discuss with the President of the United States the implications of the change of Government in Libya?

The Prime Minister

It is not usual to go into details, in advance, of the agenda. I can say, however, that I myself with the President, or my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary with the Secretary of State, will between us cover all the relevant aspects of world affairs, and I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that this is an important aspect.

Mr. John Fraser

Will the Prime Minister discuss with the American President the impression the Americans have created on the Euro-dollar market, and the way in which this has pushed up interest rates in connection with social and commercial policies?

The Prime Minister

Again, I take that supplementary question as a suggestion. It is contrary to precedent, or practice. to say what will or will not be discussed, but I had an hour's discussion with the American Secretary of State for the Treasury last Saturday morning, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had a much longer talk with him, and all questions relevant to world monetary affairs were discussed between us.

Sir R. Cary

To repeat a question that I put to the Prime Minister two weeks ago: would it not be to the mutual advantage of both countries if the President of the United States were invited to this country again?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. But the hon. Gentleman will know, and I think that this is almost without precedent in recent Anglo-American history, that the President of the United States has visited this country twice this year, and we were glad to welcome him on both occasions and had constructive talks with him. Obviously, he knows that he will be welcome if he comes at any time, but it is rather a burden on him to ask him to come three times in two years unless there is some indication that he would like to come, in which case he would be welcome.