§ Q7. Mr. Healeyasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official talks with Mr. Gromyko in London.
§ The Prime MinisterMr. Gromyko and I had a full exchange of views on major issues, and in particular about European questions.
§ Mr. HealeyCan the Prime Minister tell the House whether Mr. Gromyko agreed that mutual and balanced force reductions should be a subject for discussion in the framework of a possible European security conference, and whether he now agrees to the calling of such a conference? Second, may we be told whether the Prime Minister discussed with Mr. Gromyko the large-scale deployment of Soviet missiles in the standstill zone in 1260 violation of the cease-fire agreement over Suez, and was anything said by Mr. Gromyko in this respect responsible for the surprising failure of the Foreign Secretary to refer to that violation in his recent major speech on Middle East matters?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman knows that it is not customary in confidential discussions of this kind to reveal details of talks. As to the last part of his question, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has constantly alluded to that point in his speeches.
§ Mr. MaclennanCould the Prime Minister say whether he took the opportunity to discuss with Mr. Gromyko the importance of movement on the question of Berlin if the treaty between the West German Government and the Soviet Union is to be ratified, and our interest in seeing that this matter is expedited?
§ The Prime MinisterWhen I made special reference to European questions in my Answer, I was referring to the question of relations between the Federal Republic and the Eastern Socialist States, Berlin, and the question of the preparation of a European security conference.
§ Mr. BlakerDid Her Majesty's Ministers in their conversations with Mr. Gromyko point out that our balance of trade with the Soviet Union is unfavourable to this country and has in recent years been growing worse, and did they urge him to encourage his own Government to buy more from us?
§ The Prime MinisterThat matter has been raised frequently, not only by this Administration but by the last.
§ Mr. FernyhoughAs the Foreign Secretary used the Soviet threat in the Indian Ocean to justify his desire to sell arms to South Africa, did Mr. Gromyko either allay or make more meaningful the fears which Her Majesty's Government have about the Soviet threat in that area?
§ The Prime MinisterI found that Mr. Gromyko was well informed about the progress which the Soviet Union has made in the countries of the Indian Ocean.
§ Sir D. Walker-SmithWould my right hon. Friend say whether the discussions in respect of Europe included any reference to Soviet intentions in respect of Czechoslovakia?
§ The Prime MinisterThat subject was not specifically dealt with.