§ 44. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a further statement about the situation in the Dutch East Indies.
§ 78. Major Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will 2319 now make a further statement on the situation in Indonesia and, in particular, on the offer by the Dutch to the Indonesians.
§ Mr. BevinThe principal political development in Java since my statement to the House on 23rd November has been the meeting of a National Convention. It is to be hoped that the support given by the Convention to Dr. Sjahrir will enable discussions to be resumed between the Dutch and Indonesian leaders. His Majesty's Government will continue to use its good offices to promote a settlement and avoid further bloodshed. I regret to say, however, that the extremists show no disposition to call off their terroristic activities which have involved British Forces in sharp fighting and loss of life under peculiarly shocking circumstances.