§ 5. Mr. Fitzroy Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an undertaking not to recognise the Communist Government in China until he has a reasonable assurance that British diplomatic and consular officials there will be treated with respect.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir; in international practice the proper treatment of diplomatic and consular officials should be automatic. To ask for assurances on this point might imply that this was not the case.
§ Mr. MacleanWould the hon. Gentleman agree that the treatment accorded by the Chinese authorities to American consular and diplomatic representatives in China is far from re-assuring, and will he not wait until there is some indication that the Chinese are prepared to behave normally in this way before precipitating recognition?
§ Mr. MayhewI welcome the news that Mr. Ward and his staff have been released. If their detention had been continued it would have been a very grave matter. As far as our own people are concerned, their official status is not, of course, recognised, but as individuals they have been treated properly.
§ Mr. SorensenCould the Communists of China be directed to turn to South Africa for guidance?
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that the Americans never adopted a normal attitude towards the Chinese but that the Chinese are determined that the Americans shall?
§ Mr. John PatonWill my hon. Friend resist any temptation to further delay in this matter, in which there has been too much delay already?