§ 26. Mr. W. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now any statement to make about the recognition of the Chinese Communist Government at Peking.
§ 27. Mr. Ronald Chamberlainasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the provocative attitude now adopted by the Chinese Nationalist Government in reference to British ships in Chinese territorial waters, he will take steps to expedite recognition of the People's Republic of China.
§ 37. Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, following the meeting of Foreign Office representatives in Singapore, he will now make a statement as to the intentions of His Majesty's Government regarding the recognition of the Communist Government in China.
§ 38. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the recommendation made to him by the Far Eastern diplomats, who met in Singapore recently, on the recognition of the Chinese Communist Government.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreOn a point of Order. Before Questions Nos. 26 and 27 are answered, could we have your guidance, Mr. Speaker? Presumably, they were both accepted by the Clerks at the Table, and, therefore, in 2013 order that the House may be fully informed on the Chinese situation, may we be told if the term "People's Republic of China" in Question No. 27 means the same as "Chinese Communist Government" in Question No. 26?
§ Mr. SpeakerI should not have thought that there was much difference myself.
§ Mr. BevinNo decision has been taken by His Majesty's Government about the recognition as the Government of China of the Chinese Communist Government. His Majesty's Government are still in consultation on this matter with friendly Governments and will take into account all the relevant factors in reaching their conclusion.
§ Mr. FletcherIn view of the serious and anomalous position in Shanghai and other parts of China, where British lives and those of British subjects, as well as British property, are at stake, would the Minister consider establishing some form of communication by appointing an official to the Peking Government, if he does not wish to tackle the major question just yet?
§ Mr. BevinI did communicate with the Communist Government, but I have not had a reply. I am more concerned in acting together with the Commonwealth and with other friendly Governments, than with taking a hurried decision on this. I think a combined decision in which a large number of people co-operate in this business is much the best.
§ Mr. ChamberlainDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that the situation has materially deteriorated in the last few days, and does he not further agree that, whatever remaining shreds of reasons there may have been for retaining recognition of the National Government, they have now been entirely swept away?
§ Mr. BevinYes, but there are a lot of issues involved—the United Nations, the Security Council, and the question of the views of the United States and our own Commonwealth. In a great changeover of this character, one has to act with caution, reasonable speed and with an idea of producing the best results.
§ Mr. PiratinCan the Foreign Secretary say whether his officials in the Far East who met at Singapore the other day 2014 recommended that he should recognise the Chinese People's Republican Government?
§ Mr. LipsonCan my right hon. Friend say how long he anticipates the discussions with the Commonwealth and other friendly Governments are likely to take?
§ Mr. FletcherWill the right hon. Gentleman seize the opportunity tomorrow of making the situation a little clearer, because the situation which does exist now is a danger to the lives of a great many British subjects out there, and can possibly be separated from the question of recognition? It would allay the fears and anxieties if some sort of progress report were to be made.
§ Mr. BevinI think my answers today have made it pretty clear, and I shall not have much time tomorrow to deal with all the world. If the hon. Gentleman reads the answers given today, he will see that I am following this thing through methodically and I am hoping to produce a good result. I do not think there are any British lives actually in danger in Shanghai at the moment, so far as I know.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are moderate elements supporting the Communist Government in China who desire early British recognition to counteract excessive Chinese dependence on the Soviet Union; and is he further aware that the longer that recognition is delayed, the more likely it is that China will be driven into the Soviet camp?
§ Mr. GammansBefore there is any question of the recognition of this Government without guarantees, will the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the very delicate situation that still exists in Malaya, where at present we are fighting the Communists and where, presumably, after recognition, the Communists will be regarded in an entirely different light?