§ 55. Mr. Fitzroy Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he intends to implement the Government's announced decision to establish full diplomatic relations with the Communist authorities in China, and on what terms.
§ Mr. YoungerMr. J. C. Hutchison, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in China, is at present in Pekin discussing with the Central People's Government certain preliminary and procedural questions in regard to the establishment of diplomatic relations. My right hon. Friend hopes to make a further statement as soon as these discussions are completed.
§ Mr. MacleanIs not the position, in fact, that the Government have been kept waiting for a couple of months while the Chinese Communists make up their minds whether they are prepared to receive His Majesty's Ambassador?
§ Mr. YoungerDiscussions are proceeding in Pekin, and while they are going on I think it would be inadvisable for me to add anything to what I have said.
§ Mr. NuttingThe hon. Gentleman has talked a lot about discussions, and about recognition by His Majesty's Government of the Chinese Communist Government. Can he tell the House whether the Chinese Communist Government have yet recognised His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. YoungerMr. Hutchison is in Pekin at the moment and discussions are going on. I would, therefore, ask hon. Members not to press me while he is in that position.
Air-Commodore HarveyUntil this matter has been satisfactorily settled, will the Government instruct the Governor of Hong Kong to refuse to hand over 68 aircraft to the Communist Government of China?
§ Mr. YoungerThat is quite another question.
§ Mr. MacleanIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Communist Government is an independent Government of a sovereign State?
§ Mr. YoungerThat is quite a different question from the one on the Order Paper.