asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature of the preliminary preparation that is required before a meeting of the heads of Government is arranged; when it is likely to begin; and how long he estimates this preliminary preparation will take.

I take it that the hon. Member is referring to a meeting between the heads of the French, Soviet, United Kingdom and United States Governments comparable with that of July, 1955. Before such a meeting takes place, it is important, in our view, that there should be a reasonable prospect of success. If it is a failure, it will increase tension. The time taken to reach the conclusion that a meeting has a reasonable prospect of success must depend upon the circumstances, none of which are under our sole control.

Would the Foreign Secretary go as far as Mr. Foster Dulles, who said last night that the Russians were not to be trusted, anyhow? Can he tell us what use there is in having negotiations in any circumstances if we are not to trust the people on the other side?

What the hon. Gentleman has put in his supplementary question supports the thesis which I have repeatedly put to the House, that we want proof by deeds of a desire for peaceful co-existence.