HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc1215-6
Q9. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to meet the new President of France.

The Prime Minister

I look forward to meeting President Pompidou, but as he has only just assumed office it is too early to say when this might be.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

In view of the composition of the new French Government, encouraging for all forms of European co-operation, will the right hon. Gentleman hasten slowly in seeking a meeting?

The Prime Minister

The question of a meeting is a matter for further consideration. All hon. Members will have formed their own views about what prospects are in the light of the new Government in France. It would be wrong for Her Majesty's Government to start forcing the pace in this matter. This is a matter for the Six, which will, I understand, be meeting shortly. Her Majesty's Government's position on this has been made known over a period of years. We shall certainly take any opportunity that opens up to us. If that is what "hasten slowly" means, I accept the hon. Gentleman's phrase.

Mr. John Mendelson

While accepting that the Prime Minister is quite right to set his own pace in relation to the French Government, would not the most useful work he could do now, together with the French Government, be to make a major advance in trying to get a European security conference going to get agreement between East and West on multiple arms reductions and the setting up of a European security system?

The Prime Minister

That is a separate question. Obviously it is one that I would discuss with the President of France if and when a meeting is arranged. My hon. Friend will be aware of the initiatives taken by N.A.T.O. in this respect at its meeting in Iceland last summer. Then, to put it at its lowest, hopes were somewhat deferred by events in Czechoslovakia. N.A.T.O. has made clear that we are prepared to discuss matters of security and matters of détente, on an individual basis, with East European countries.