§ Q4. Mr. Douglasasked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an early official visit to the United States of America.
§ Mr. BarberI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend has at present made no arrangements to visit the United States of America.
§ Mr. DouglasWhen the Prime Minister decides to visit the United States, will he undertake to raise with President Nixon a narrow but important issue—namely, why the United States Government have decided to subsidise their shipbuilding industry in the production of liquified natural gas carriers to the tune of 25 per cent. and why British companies, particularly Scottish-registered oil companies, seek to have these ships built in the United States rather than in the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. BarberI will draw my right hon. Friend's attention to what the hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Mr. Evelyn KingIf the Prime Minister visits America, could it be made clear to American opinion that the anti-Nixon prejudice shown by the British Broadcasting Corporation is a little resented over here and does not reflect any respectable body of British opinion, which has a high regard for both the office of President and its present incumbent?
§ Mr. BarberI think that most people in this country would support my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the message of congratulation that he sent to President Nixon on his victory.
§ Mr. Robert HughesIf the Prime Minister goes to America, will he make it plain that many people in this country regard President Nixon's cruel hoax over peace in Vietnam as an absolute disgrace? Will he also convey to the American President that we in this country feel that peace in Vietnam should be signed as soon as possible and an end put to this dreadful war?
§ Mr. BarberPresident Nixon has made it absolutely clear that the United States want a peace that will last; but he has insisted that before an agreement—I quote his words—
The central points be clearly settled so that there will be no misunderstandings which could lead to a breakdown of the settlement and a resumption of the war.The British Government fully support this approach, which is wholly reasonable.
§ Sir Gilbert LongdenWhen the Prime Minister visits America, will he make it clear to the President that our joining Europe implies no weakening, but rather a strengthening, of the Atlantic Alliance—which alliance is as much in the interests of America and Canada as of Europe?
§ Mr. BarberI know that the Leader of the Opposition will bear me out when I say that successive Administrations in the United States have consistently supported our application to join the EEC.