HC Deb 18 December 1969 vol 793 cc1542-3
Q1. Mr. Dickens

asked the Prime Minister if he will invite the Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Olav Palme, to London for talks.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I last met Mr. Palme, as well as the then Swedish Prime Minister, during my visit to Sweden in July; there are no plans for a further meeting at present, Sir.

Mr. Dickens

In any forthcoming discussions with Mr. Palme will my right hon. Friend convey to him our good wishes on his attaining this high office in Swedish and European political life? Will the Prime Minister also convey the admiration which many of us feel for the stand taken by the Swedish Democratic Government in condemning American aggression in Vietnam, a course of action which my right hon. Friends would do well to emulate?

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend ought to know that of course I communicated to Mr. Palme, who is a friend of mine of many years' standing, my congratulations and those of many of our people on his assumption of the premiership and leadership of his party a few months ago. I discussed all these matters with him on many occasions, most recently last July. Our policy on Vietnam was stated in the debate in this House by myself and other Ministers and by many hon. Members as recently as last week.