HL Deb 29 October 1957 vol 205 cc545-6

3.54 p.m.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, with the permission of the House I will make a statement which has been made by the Prime Minister in another place. I will read it in the Prime Minister's words:

"I will now make a statement about the discussions which I and my right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary held last week in Washington and in Ottawa. Much has happened since the meetings in Bermuda last March. It seemed to the President and to me that it would he well if we could meet once more in order to review the international scene. Honourable Members will have read in the newspapers the text of the Declaration of Common Purpose which the President and I issued at the end of our talks, but for the convenience of the House I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

"The main purpose of the Declaration is to establish the principle of the inter-dependence of the countries of the free world. This principle will guide the policies of the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States. We shall seek to secure the participation of all our Allies, and the support of the other free nations, in a common partnership. Thereby the resources of the free world can most effectively be used in the maintenance of the interests of all.

"Our two countries will pursue this purpose in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, as well as with our other Allies and with the nations of the free world in the most appropriate way. The House will have read in the Declaration that we will urge at N.A.T.O. an increase of scientific research and development in support of greater collective security, and that the President of the United States will request Congress to amend the Atomic Energy Act as may be necessary and desirable. In conformity with the same principles, we have declared that in their possession of nuclear weapons both our Governments regard themselves as trustees for the defence of the free world.

"In Canada the Foreign Secretary and I had an opportunity of reporting on these discussions to the Canadian Government, both in private talks with Mr. Diefenbaker and certain of his colleagues and at a meeting of the Canadian Cabinet which we were privileged to attend. The Canadian Government expressed themselves, for their part, most ready to subscribe to the principle of inter-dependence and to join in the common effort necessary to make it effective."

Following is the text of the Declaration referred to: