§ 53. Mr. Julian Ameryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet in a position to make a further statement on the progress of the negotiations now in train for the establishment of diplomatic relations between His Majesty's Government and the Communist Government of China.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesNo, Sir.
§ Mr. AmeryWill the Minister bear in mind, and impress upon his right hon. Friend, that continued delay in these negotiations must be injurious to British prestige all over the world, and especially in South-East Asia? Will he seriously consider whether it would not be an act of statesmanship to set a time limit to these negotiations, beyond which the offer to establish diplomatic relations would be withdrawn?
§ Mr. DaviesI would not accept the assumption that delay was harmful to the prestige of the British Government. As I have previously stated, the next step in this case rests with the Central People's Government of China.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltWould it not be a good thing if the hon. Gentleman's Department looked round to see if they could find a backbone somewhere?
§ Mr. Walter FletcherDoes the hon. Gentleman remember that the first ambassador sent by this country to China spent five and a half years there before he was recognised? At the present rate do we not seem likely to beat that record?
§ 55. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the lack of reciprocity on the part of the Government of China and the continued difficulty met by British commercial interests in Shanghai and elsewhere, he will consider withdrawing recognition of the new régime.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesNo, Sir.
§ Mr. GammansIn view of the damage which this premature recognition of the Peking régime has done in Malaya, can the hon. Gentleman say how long the Government propose to go on accepting these deliberately meant insults to us?
§ Mr. PagetCan the Government imagine any better way of throwing the Chinese into the Russian lap than by denying them diplomatic access to anybody else?
§ 56. Mr. Hollisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communication has been received from the Communist Government of China according recognition to His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesCertainly not. There has been no corresponding situation in the United Kingdom which would give rise to any possible doubt as to what the Government of the United Kingdom was.
§ Mr. HollisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there may be no doubt in the minds of people in the United Kingdom, but there apparently seems to be some doubt in the minds of the people of China?
§ Mr. WyattOn a point of Order. I have always understood, Sir, that an hon. Member was not allowed to put down a Question which asked whether a certain communication had been received, unless he had certain knowledge that the communication had or had not been received?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have never heard that. One may always ask if anything has been received or not. Every Member is responsible for the Questions he puts down. It has nothing to do with me whether the communication has or has not been received.