HC Deb 19 July 1950 vol 477 cc2250-2
37. Mr. F. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement regarding the discussions on Korea at present in progress between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government.

Mr. Younger

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs assured the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden) on 17th July, we will endeavour to make a statement as soon as possible. I can only repeat, therefore, that we are most willing to make such a statement at the earliest practicable moment; but that moment has not yet arrived.

Mr. Maclean

In order that there may be no misapprehension on this point, will the Minister make it perfectly clear that it is no longer the policy of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to secure the admission of a Chinese Communist representative to the Security Council, however much pressure may be brought to bear on him by Moscow, by Pekin, or by the benches behind him?

Mr. Younger

I do not think that arises out of the Question.

Mr. Eden

Could the Government give us any indication of when they think they can make this correspondence public? I am quite sure they do not want to hold it up longer than they possibly can help. Would it be some day this week?

Mr. Younger

It might be, but I do not think I can give an undertaking to that effect at the moment.

Mr. Eden

Could the Government give us any indication of when they think they can make this correspondence public? I am quite sure they do not want to hold it up longer than they possibly can help. Would it be some day this week?

Mr. Younger

It might be, but I do not think I can give an undertaking to that effect at the moment.

Mr. Eden

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that to hold up this correspondence too long does give rise to rumours which, personally, I am sure are unjustified? The sooner everything is known by everybody the better all round.

Mr. Younger

I think we are conscious of that, and of the general desire on the matter.

Major Tufton Beamish

Has the Minister noticed that the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) might have been dictated by the Kremlin?

[That this House, having, without a division, supported His Majesty's Government in its acceptance of the United Nations Security Council's decision on Korea, nevertheless remains profoundly anxious that the peace of the world shall be preserved and to that end urges His Majesty's Government to prepare the way for a world settlement by using its best endeavours to limit the area of conflict; to bring about a cessation of hostilities and mediation in Korea under the authority of the United Nations; to urge the withdrawal of United States forces from Formosa; to secure the admission of the recognised Chinese People's Government into the Security Council; to take the initiative in bringing about an early meeting of representatives of all the great Powers, including India, to consider what action can be taken, either on Mr. Trygve Lie's proposals or otherwise, to strengthen the United Nations and to end the cold war which is fraught with such dire perils to the survival of civilisation and of mankind.]

Mr. James Hudson

Did the answer of the hon. Gentleman, which I heard imperfectly, imply that there is to be some consideration of the withdrawal of the recognition of China by His Majesty's Government?

Mr. Younger

No, Sir, it did not imply anything of the kind.