Four-Power Conference, Geneva

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 July 1955.

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Photo of Lieut-Commander Peter Smithers Lieut-Commander Peter Smithers , Winchester 12:00, 27 July 1955

Perhaps that may be so. It will afford a real opportunity to import an element of realism into Soviet policy.

Secondly, we should make a great effort to understand and meet the difficulties which immediately divide us. The third and very important thing is to attempt to break down the Communist belief in the ultimate victory of Marxist-Leninist doctrine. This we can best do by maintaining the power and unity of the West. If we now begin any process of unilateral relaxation and unilateral disarmament we encourage the Soviet leaders to think that the process of dissolution for which they have so long hoped is beginning to come about and we shall send them back to the Soviet Union encouraged in intransigence rather than inclined to make concessions.

Therefore, now more than ever before, we should persevere in building the political structure of the free world, in consolidating the ties which bind the United States and Britain, in consolidating the ties of the Commonwealth and in consolidating Europe as a powerful political unit in a free world. We should also strive our utmost to bring about in South-East Asia a league of independent and free nations which have so much in common with ourselves in defence of the common aspirations and ideals. I am sure that if we combine in perseverance in building the structure of the free world we shall be taking the longest step towards the construction ultimately of the "one world" which we so much desire.