HL Deb 25 April 1961 vol 230 c757
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl, while he is here, whether he is able to make any further statement about the situation in Cuba? Information has been coming in rapidly and the statement made yesterday by Mr. Kennedy seems to me to be very important. I was wondering whether the Foreign Secretary could tell us any more about that.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I had thought that the noble Viscount was not going to ask this Question, and I had not prepared myself with any answer. But so far as I know, the invasion of Cuba is over—the reports coming from Cuba are to that effect—except for a certain number of people who are left in the hills. So far as I know, British subjects are all safe, although we have further investigations to make about two or three of them who are still held. One or two—I think one —have been released. Apart from that, I think that I should like notice of a Question on Cuba before giving a further Answer.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Earl. The difficulty is that people are talking widely about the situation. No doubt President Kennedy was taking the right line by saying, "I am responsible" "—but responsible for what? That is the question being asked over here. At least, it is worth raising the matter to-day to let Mr. Kennedy know that there is a good deal of anxiety as to what he is taking responsibility for and as to how far the United States, actually and officially, were behind the invasion.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I have no doubt that there is a great deal of anxiety in the United States about the Cuban situation, on every score; but it must be for President Kennedy to answer for American policy, and not for me.

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