HC Deb 16 December 1975 vol 902 cc1160-1
Q2. Mr. Thorpe

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he has recently had with the United States Government.

The Prime Minister

I had a full discussion with President Ford on matters of mutual interest at the economic summit meeting in Rambouillet last month. I have also had the opportunity of discussions with the President at other bilateral and international meetings in the course of the year, and continue by all appropriate means to keep in close touch with the Government of the United States.

Mr. Thorpe

Does the Prime Minister recall the Government's welcome endorsement of Dr. Kissinger's five-point plan at the World Food Conference in Rome designed to prevent fluctuations in the world prices of food and the supply of food stocks to developing countries in the Third World? Was it not a disappointment that when it had a 10million-ton grain surplus the United States should automatically put it on the commercial market and sell it to the highest bidder, which in this case was the Soviet Union? Is not that a negation of the spirit of Rome, which was that there should be international stockpiling at agreed levels to prevent fluctuations in prices to the Third World? Is it not time that we made representations to America that if this sort of policy continues, the spirit of Rome will be dead?

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman is perfectly right to raise this matter. We have had discussions with the United States. The quantities of food available for developing and starving countries has been considerably increased in the past year or two. Dr. Kissinger gave full support to the proposals which I made at the Commonwealth Conference in Jamaica in relation to raw materials, foodstuffs and the proper planning of commodity agreements. These matters have been further carried forward by the Special Session of the United Nations, where the British proposals received warm support.

Mr. John Garrett

Has my right hon. Friend had discussions with the American Government about their view of the continued commercial viability of the Chrysler Corporation?

The Prime Minister

There is no American ministerial responsibility here. We are concerned with Chrysler's overseas activities, in this case in the United Kingdom. At Rambouillet I had a brief discussion with President Ford—as I think I told the House—but, of course, the future of the Chrysler Corporation within this country is a matter for Her Majesty's Government and the House. My right hon. Friend will be making a statement on this matter at the end of Questions.

Mr. Amery

Will the Prime Minister make clear to the President of the United States that Her Majesty's Government would fully support such steps as he may think it right to take to support the anti-Soviet forces now fighting in Angola?

The Prime Minister

We have made clear our position on Angola. We believe that there is no place for an intervention by the United Kingdom, and we are extremely anxious to see that Angola does not become a cockpit of all the major Powers.