§ 12. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement in respect of the Indian proposals to bring the Korean conflict to an end; to what extent his own proposed modifications have been met; and what progress has been made towards securing agreement on this issue between the Indian, British and American Governments.
§ 23. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the secretary of State for Foregin Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the progress of the discussion at the United Nations on the Indian armistice proposals.
§ Mr. EdenOn 26th November the Indian Delegation circulated a revised draft of their resolution which was designed to meet certain suggestions which were made in the debate before the Political Committee. The Political Committee is due to continue the debate on the Indian resolution today.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether progress is being made as to the clarification or modification suggested in the second part of my Question?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir; as I understand, there is complete agreement about that. Unfortunately, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the attitude of the Chinese Government, so far as is at present known, is far from encouraging.
§ Mr. HendersonHas the right hon. Gentleman any information about the actual objections raised by the Chinese Communist Government?
§ Mr. EdenNo, Sir. All I have seen is the statement issued by the Chinese Government and a communication which they have made to the Indian Government, but I have seen nothing in any detail.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHas the Foreign Secretary taken any steps to explain to the Chinese Government our reading of the Geneva Convention of 1949, the application of which the Chinese Government appear to be claiming?
§ Mr. EdenIt is not very easy for Her Majesty's Government to explain anything to the Chinese Government because, although we have recognised them, they so little recognise us. Communication is, therefore, extremely difficult. But the Indian Government have been handling this matter and I have no doubt that they both have explained, and will explain clearly, and in the best possible terms, what is the nature of the proposal they have put forward.
§ Mr. SorensenMay we take it now that, broadly speaking, agreement has been reached between the British, American and Indian Governments on this issue?
§ Mr. EdenAs I understand, there is complete agreement among the United Nations on this, save for the minority of the Soviet bloc.
§ 17. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish a White Paper containing the text of the Indian truce proposals.
§ Mr. EdenI will certainly consider publishing the text of the Indian Resolution as a White Paper when it has been finally agreed and put to the United Nations. It may be that I shall take the opportunity to publish one or two other documents, such as the speech of the head of the Indian Delegation, at the same time.
§ Mr. HendersonWould the right hon. Gentleman also consider putting in the White Paper, if he decides to issue it, the speech and possible amendments put forward by Mr. Vyshinsky? Would he do that so that we could have a complete picture?
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill the right hon. Gentleman include in the White Paper some notes about the initiation of these proposals and why they were rejected, so that the White Paper will be completely intelligible to readers?
§ Mr. EdenI am not sure that the hon. and learned Gentleman's suggestion would make it completely intelligible, but I will certainly put in the relevant documents. I must point out that nobody rejected the Indian proposal save the Soviet Government, who have now created themselves spokesmen for the Chinese in this respect.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesWill the right hon. Gentleman try to explain in the White Paper exactly how the difference between the Indian proposals and the Russian proposals justifies the continuation of this terrible war?
§ Mr. EdenThe hon. Gentleman will be able to form his own judgment on that when he has seen the text of the two documents.
§ Dr. KingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House were delighted at the very forthcoming attitude which he showed to the Indian proposal? Will he continue the same sympathetic attitude to the efforts which India is making at the present moment in seeking a direct approach to China?
§ Mr. EdenWe have been working in close consultation with the Indian Government at all stages of this work, but I do not think that I should like to say more than that in public. What we want to do is to further the results rather than to give answers to Questions.