§ Q2. Mr. Ashleyasked the Prime Minister on what criteria he accepts or rejects invitations to visit foreign countries.
§ The Prime MinisterI accept such invitations when I believe that to do so would be helpful in the national interest, Sir.
§ Mr. AshleyDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that it would help the national interest if he condemned the use of torture, particularly in the light of reports about its use in countries like Greece, Turkey, Brazil and South Africa? Will he assure us that he will look at torture reports without distinction? Will he refer to the Central Policy Review Staff the question of how effectively Britain can use her influence against the use of torture in any countries?
§ The Prime MinisterI will of course condemn torture wherever it is to be found. I would not be selective about particular countries, especially when there are difficulties in having first-hand information about the conditions there. But if one is to condemn it, one must condemn it wherever it takes place.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneWhatever criteria my right hon. Friend observes for accepting invitations for visits overseas, may I ask him to be in no hurry to copy the example of the Leader of the Opposition in going to Czechoslovakia and saying that the events of 1968 were over and done with when the Russian Army is still in occupation there?
§ The Prime MinisterI have no plans at present to visit that country.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonDid Her Majesty's Government entertain the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from Czechoslovakia last week?
Mr. WilsonDid the Foreign Secretary invite the Deputy Minister last week or did he not? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware—I think he has had reports of this—that I made clear throughout my visit to Czechoslovakia that I stood by what I and he said in 1968, and that in what has been totally misquoted by the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne)—
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneWell, what did the right hon. Gentleman say?
§ Mr. Wilson—I explained the policy of Her Majesty's Government as explained to me by the Foreign Office and said that I supported it?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Deputy Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia visited this country on an official visit to the Foreign Secretary, and this enabled my right hon. Friend to make representations to him, a continuing series of representations, about Mr. Hathaway. I am glad that Mr. Hathaway has been able to return to this country.
As far as Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy is concerned, it is not our policy in any way to say that the events of 1968 had best be forgotten; nor for that matter should the events of 1938, 1948 or 1968 be forgotten.