HC Deb 26 April 1950 vol 474 cc931-2
4. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what circumstances His Majesty's representative in Tokyo is allowed to meet the Japanese Prime Minister, and when matters arise with the Japanese Government for which General MacArthur's headquarters state that they hold no responsibility, and that the Japanese Government can act as it pleases, with whom does His Majesty's representative communicate.

Mr. Younger

The head of the United Kingdom Liaison Mission in Japan meets Japanese, including members of the Japanese Government, informally and socially. He is not permitted to make official representations to the Japanese Prime Minister. Such representations must be made to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, and in the view of His Majesty's Government the Supreme Commander cannot, as suggested by the hon. Member, disclaim responsibility in matters affecting the rights and interests of Allied nationals in Japan. General MacArthur himself, indeed, is always willing to examine with care any views on questions of such a kind which the head of the United Kingdom Liaison Mission may put to him.

Mr. Teeling

Has the Minister's attention been called to the fact that American headquarters in Tokyo recently stated that they were not responsible for what the Japanese Government were doing in regard to the taxation of British subjects, and the Japanese Government was to deal with that matter? In that case with whom can our representative discuss this matter?

Mr. Younger

I believe that certain statements that have been published have led to some misunderstanding. The fact is that the Supreme Commander is always prepared to take into account representations made on these matters by out Liaison Mission.

Mr. Paton

In view of the misunderstanding to which my hon. Friend has referred, will he make it quite clear that the Japanese Government cannot act as they care to do, as is suggested in this Question, and that they are still governed by the provisions of the Potsdam Conference. and will be so governed until the peace treaty is signed?

Mr. Younger

That is a very general question. The situation which has existed in Japan in the last two or three years in regard to the responsibilities of the Allied Supreme Commander and the Japanese authorities has not changed

Mr. Walter Fletcher

How does the Minister reconcile the reply he has given today with the reply which he gave to me the other day regarding taxation, in which he stated that the Finance Minister was discussing these matters with our representatives?

Mr. Younger

I have not the exact wording of that reply before me. All that I have said on this occasion is that when representations are made to the Supreme Allied Commander he takes them into account, and that that is the effective channel for making those representations.

Mr. Leslie Hale

In view of the considerable misunderstanding about these matters in Japan, and as what my hon. Friend has said appears to conflict with information given to the House a few days ago, will my hon. Friend make a formal statement showing what rights we have in Japan and calling the attention of the proper authorities, even the Supreme Commander, to the fact that Britain took some part in the war in the Pacific?