ALLIED COUNCIL, JAPAN

HC Deb 28 June 1948 vol 452 cc1818-9

25. Mr. Chamberlain

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the fact that the only occasion on which business was transacted by the Allied Council for Japan from its fifty-fourth to its sixtieth meeting inclusive was at the fifty-eighth meeting of 26th May, 1948, when a dispute arose as to its powers, he will initiate a review of its activities in relation to its terms of reference and also in relation to the functions of the Far Eastern Commission and the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

Mr. Mayhew

No, Sir. The Allied Council is an international body and any review of its functions would have to be undertaken jointly by the Governments concerned. I can see no advantage in attempting to arrange for joint discussions for such a purpose at this stage.

Mr. Chamberlain

Is it not really fantastic that there should be a series of meetings at a time when most important decisions are being made about Japan and that there should be nothing whatever on the agenda, except on one occasion when the American chairman rated his colleagues for interfering in the realm of the Supreme Commander, and that was all that happened?

Mr. Mayhew

It it not so much a question of our being satisfied with the proceedings of the Allied Council as whether, in all the circumstances, we should get anything better if we tried to change it.

Mr. Warbey

Is it really the case that during the course of seven meetings, while all these things are happening about Japan, the Government have really nothing whatever to put on the agenda?

Mr. Mayhew

It is a fact, as stated in the Question, that for a series of meetings the business was purely formal.

Mr. John Paton

Is it not the case that the sooner the Allied Council farce is wound up the better it will be for all concerned, since it is now, and always has been, nothing more than a mere debating society?

Mr. Chamberlain

In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.