§ 31. Mr. Rees-Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the Allied Council for Japan to permit and encourage the resumption of relations between labour organisations in Japan and labour organisations in other countries.
Mr. McNeilThe Allied Council for Japan has agreed that while it is desirable to encourage the resumption of relations between labour organisations in Japan and those in other countries, this is dependent upon the restoration of normal communications between Japan and the outside world. The Council added that there would in the meantime be no objection to trade union delegations from other 589 countries visiting Japan, and as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a delegation of the World Federation of Trade Unions is due to visit Japan in March next.
Mr. PatonMay I ask my right hon. Friend if, in view of the desirability of the rapid inclusion of Japanese trade union organisations, he will consider the possibility of choosing trade union advisers from Britain and the United States to be sent to Japan to help in that way?
Mr. McNeilI will most gladly consider the point about British trade union advisers, but the substantial point is that normal communications are lacking, though I ought to add that we are in process of negotiations to that end just now.