800.796/719: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 19—8:56 p.m.]
3208. In the House of Commons yesterday, Simmonds91 and Shinwell92 asked the Prime Minister for a statement regarding the recent Anglo-American discussions on civil aviation. The Prime Minister said that he was glad that sufficient agreement was reached for both countries to support the holding of a conference with the expectation that an agreement could then be achieved. Concessions were made by both the United Kingdom and the United States, and they related only to the basis on which discussions would be launched at the international conference. In reply for [sic] to further urging for a statement, the Prime Minister said: “I do not think myself we are in a position to advocate a particular policy at a particular moment. We must give the negotiators a chance and it is better for us to see what other countries will put forward before we unfold it all. On the other hand, I can also imagine there might be an occasion to debate the matter in a general way without pinning the delegates down to any particular action.” The Prime Minister added that the Russian Gov ernment was being kept informed.