Oral Answers to Questions — Anglo-Soviet Relations

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 30 April 1957.

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Photo of Mr Harold Macmillan Mr Harold Macmillan , Bromley

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 19th February, to which I have nothing to add at present.

Photo of Mr Benjamin Parkin Mr Benjamin Parkin , Paddington North

Is the Prime Minister aware that that reply is a little disappointing, in view of the opportunity that he now has to go, and go quickly? In spite of the complications in his mind arising from the previous Question, will he not realise that he does not need anybody's permission to go to Moscow, not even mine, and that it is not necessary to make complicated arrangements in advance? If he goes, he will go with the good wishes of the whole country. If it is to be done, it were better it were done quickly.

Photo of Mr Harold Macmillan Mr Harold Macmillan , Bromley

Such experience as I have—I admit that it is not great, but it is some experience—is that visits of this kind, if they are to be effective, need careful preparation and careful timing.

Photo of Mr Reginald Paget Mr Reginald Paget , Northampton

Does not all historical experience lead us to believe that the leaders of States are better kept apart?

Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire

if the Prime Minister went to Moscow would he not be able to convey to Mr. Bulganin the horror of the Government at the Soviet Union exploding their H-bomb inside Siberia? Any interchanges which might follow, with each statesman describing the other as a "hypocrite", might have some result. They might come to some agreement on the abolition of H-bomb tests altogether.

Photo of Mr Harold Macmillan Mr Harold Macmillan , Bromley

I shall have to try to strike a balance between the advice that I have received from Northampton and the advice that I have now received from Ayrshire.