Great Britain and the Commonwealth and the United States are the closest of friends and you and I want to keep it that way President Truman

He said: "It is of great importance when a new government comes in in our country that those who have the grave responsibility of guiding it, like Mr Eden and myself, should get in touch at an early stage with our American friends and colleagues.

"Our two governments must understand each other's points of view and do all we can to work together for the common cause, trusting we will be able to build up that common understanding and intimacy which enabled us to go through safely in the past and without which no full settlement of new problems can be reached."

Mr Churchill arrived in Washington where he was welcomed officially by President Harry S Truman.

Mr Truman also spoke of the close ties between Britain, the Commonwealth and the United States.

"Great Britain and the Commonwealth and the United States are the closest of friends and you and I want to keep it that way," he said.

Mr Churchill thanked the president. "It is always a great joy to me to come to the United States," he said, "where I have many and ancient connections and I look forward very much indeed to renewing the comradeship which grew up during the struggles of the war."

The two men then retired for lunch at Blair House. A number of other government officials were present for the meal including Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, US Secretary of State Dean Acheson, and Chief of Staff Admiral William Leahy.

After lunch the prime minister and the president went on board the presidential yacht Williamsburg for informal talks which lasted about two hours.

Reports prior to Mr Churchill's arrival suggested relations between the two leaders may be strained by some differences of opinion over policy in the Middle and Far East, as well as aspects of defence policy and the supply of American steel.

A spokesman said later the talks had "covered a wide range of topics" and "clarified the atmosphere" for the formal discussions which will begin on Monday.

Tomorrow (Sunday) Mr Churchill will have lunch at the Pentagon with the Secretary of Defense Robert Lovett.

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