§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans for a meeting with President Carter.
§ Mr. AdleyWhen the Prime Minister meets President Carter will he tell him that those of us who are concerned about the future of Concorde and its landing rights thoroughly disapprove of the President's feigned lack of interest in the question and his deliberate refusal to uphold his responsibility, as President, for enforcing federal treaties? Will he tell the President that we note the marked discrepancy between his words and his deeds, and further inform the President that the British and French Governments regard his position as hostile to the interests of those two countries?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not sure what response such a speech would be given, but I cannot think that it would be very persuasive, if the hon. Gentleman is still hoping, as I hope, that Concorde will be allowed to land in New York. I suggest that the tactics should be a little better designed than are those put to me by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunSince Britain has decided to join the vital talks between the United States and Russia to stop all nuclear test explosions and thereby slow down the nuclear arms race, would it not be helpful for the Prime Minister now to tell President Carter that we intend to cancel the proposed underground test at Nevada, otherwise it will undermine our credibility and the success of the talks?
§ The Prime MinisterI shall not comment on the newspaper report to which my hon. Friend refers, but I doubt whether our credibility would be reduced as long as the Soviet Union and the 1093 United States maintained their test explosions. It would indeed need agreement between all three Powers if it were to become really effective.
§ Mr. TebbitIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he were to decide to see President Carter this week he might well find no scheduled air service between the two countries? Has he been in recent touch with President Carter to see whether the log-jam of these negotiations could be broken, since they are now at a very late stage indeed, to the great danger of trade between our two countries?
§ The Prime MinisterI was in touch with President Carter at the end of last week, but I have not been in touch with him since, in person, although exchanges are taking place and negotiations will continue. We have constantly taken the view that it would be almost unthinkable to believe that this air service could be broken off in this way. That is why we shall continue to negotiate up to the last moment. There is a certain minimum position that a country must take in its air service. We are getting closer to agreement. That was the last report I had this morning. I hope that the negotiations will be completed satisfactorily.
§ Mr. John MendelsonWhile inevitably there are problems directly affecting the relations between Britain and the United States, and although there is general confidence in the way in which my right hon Friend the Prime Minister and the Government are handling these relations, may I ask my right hon. Friend to accept that there is widespread support for Jimmy Carter's fight for human rights and civil rights and that that fight has the support of the nation, particularly in view of the unjustifiable attacks made on the President?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a speech on this subject a few weeks ago and expressed the Government's position fully and adequately. During the discussions that are now proceeding in Belgrade to arrange the agenda for the further exchanges that will take place, our position will be made absolutely clear.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanIn leading up to those discussions, will the Prime Minister make plain to President Carter 1094 and the United States Government the mounting threat to the United Kingdom and Western Europe arising from the developing and increasing Soviet influence in Africa, which has now been extended to the Horn of Africa, with the developments involving Cuban troops and advisers to the Marxist Ethiopian Government?
§ The Prime MinisterThe position of the Soviet Union in Africa is the subject of constant discussion between the United States and a number of European countries. Clearly, the Soviet Union has as legitimate a right as any other country to try to improve its relations, but that right is called into question when it comes to supplying arms and attempting to suborn Governments in that area. That has been made clear to the Soviet Union.