§ 55. Mr. John Patonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of his recent conversations in Paris, he is now in a position to make a statement on the result of his consultations with other Powers concerned with regard to a Japanese peace treaty and the recognition of the Communist Government in China.
§ Mr. MayhewIn their recent talks in Washington, my right hon. Friend and Mr. Acheson were in agreement that the time had come to re-examine the possibilities of negotiating a peace settlement in the Far East. Such a reexamination is now in progress. With regard to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Piratin) on 19th October.
§ Mr. WarbeyWill my hon. Friend given an assurance that no peace treaty will be made with Japan without the participation of China, which suffered most and longest under Japanese aggression, and without whose participation no stable peace settlement in the Far East is possible?
§ Mr. W. FletcherWill the Under-Secretary also make certain that, while the situation remains as it is, proper protection is given to British merchant shipping at the mouth of the Yangtse?
§ Mr. MayhewWe shall do everything we possibly can, but that is another question.
§ Mr. TeelingCan the hon. Gentleman state when the peace conference is likely to be called? Is it imminent, or will it be very soon; or is this just another vague statement?
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. I cannot speculate about the date.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanWould my hon. Friend care to answer in any way the important question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey)? Is it not of very great importance that the country which suffered most from Japanese aggression should have some say in whatever peace treaty is now made?
§ Mr. MayhewIt is our policy, as has been stated before, that the countries which took part in the defeat of Japan should be represented at the conference.
§ Mr. EdenCan the Minister elucidate his reply a little further? I am not at all clear about his first answer. Can he say whether the decision has been taken to proceed with the peace treaty or not?
§ Mr. MayhewI think that if the right hon. Gentleman will study my reply, he will find that it explains the position. A re-examination of the possibilities of negotiating a settlement is going on at the present time.