asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will send personal invitations to leaders of other nations, including the Dominion Premiers, President Truman, the President of the Republic of France and Premier Stalin, to attend the Festival of Britain.

The Government recognise that had the international situation been more settled the nation would no doubt have wished to welcome leaders of other nations here on the occasion of the Festival of Britain. The House will recognise, however, that as arrangements appropriate to such important visits have to be made long in advance, it is really not practicable, having regard to the heavy responsibilities resting on the statesmen mentioned, to attempt such arrangements in the present unsettled conditions, much as we would like to.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that these invitations would be inclined to make everybody a little more sociable?