HC Deb 28 November 1949 vol 470 cc777-8
57. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the basis of what treaties or other instruments or binding declarations His Majesty's Government recognise Chinese suzerainty over Tibet.

Mr. Mayhew

Under the terms of the draft tripartite Simla Convention of 1914, which was never ratified by China, His Majesty's Government were prepared to recognise Chinese suzerainty over an autonomous Tibet. Since then, there have been no binding declarations accepted by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and by the Chinese Government by the terms of which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom recognised Chinese suzerainty over Tibet.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Was not a letter sent, in 1945, by the right hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden), and was it not a binding declaration recognising the suzerainty of China over Tibet? May we have that letter published?

Mr. Mayhew

I am not aware of any letter of the kind which invalidates the reply I have given.

Major Tufton Beamish

Has the Under-Secretary noted the pointer which this Question provides regarding the direction in which the Chinese Communists will next look?

Mr. Mayhew

The hon. Member's Questions often have a special significance.