Q3. Mr. Batesasked the Prime Minister if he will invite President Ford to visit the United Kingdom.
§ The Prime MinisterAs my hon. Friend knows, I met President Ford in Washington early in May and had another talk with him in Brussels at the end of that month. Yesterday I met Vice-President Rockefeller at Downing Street for an hour.
Mr. BatesWhen my right hon. Friend next meets President Ford, will he express to him the concern of many people in this country about the statement which President Ford made at his Press conference last week, which seemed to imply that the United States no longer rules out the use of nuclear weapons in a first strike situation?
§ The Prime MinisterI have to rely on reports of the President's statement in this context, but the President will know from what was said to his predecessors that the Labour Party, when in government before, when in opposition, and now, is totally opposed to the first strike use of nuclear weapons. That is and has been our position, and I hope that it is fully understood in all parts of the world.