§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the Vice-President of the United States of America; to what extent these included the change in the foreign policy of the American Government affecting the Communist countries; and to what extent the British Government support this new approach in foreign affairs.
§ Mr. LuardThe Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend had talks with Vice-President Mondale on Sunday 22nd May and my right hon. Friend had further discussions with him the next day. In view of the Vice-President's meeting with Mr. Vorster in Vienna, the discussions centred on the problems of Southern Africa on which we and the United States Government continue to co-operate closely. Details of the discussions remain confidential.
As hon. Members are aware, the Government share President Carter's concept of, and pursuit of, detente, and we welcome the clear exposition in the President's recent speech of the search for a sound relationship with the Soviet Union and the global application of the detente process.