§ 52. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will ascertain from the Security Council to what extent the United Nations Interim Commission is permitting the Syngman Rhee administration to exercise authority for civil affairs in that part of North Korea occupied by the United Nations troops.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesOn 12th October the Interim Committee on Korea advised the Unified Command to assume provisionally all responsibilities for the government and civil administration of those parts of Korea which had not been recognised by the United Nations as being under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Korea at the outbreak of hostilities.
§ Mr. DoddsIs my hon. Friend not aware that there are many people, not Communists, who believe that British troops are giving their lives to protect men guilty of savage and senseless brutality? What is the Home Secretary doing about it?
§ Mr. DaviesI cannot accept the full implications of that statement, and I really do not think that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is responsible for what is happening in that part of the world.
§ 58. Mr. Michael Footasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information from the British representative at the United Nations about the date when the United Nations Commission on Korea, instituted by the eight-Power resolution on 4th October, will be proceeding to Korea.
§ 67. Mr. S. Silvermanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what relationship has been defined between the old United Nations Commission on Korea and the new commission recently set up; when the members of the new Commission will arrive in Korea; and whom His Majesty's Government recognises as exercising political as distinct from military authority in Korea in the meanwhile.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe new Commission supersedes the old and assumes its functions. I understand that it will leave Tokyo for Korea on 23rd November.
28 The Government of the Republic of Korea is recognised by His Majesty's Government as the Government of that part of Korea where the United Nations Temporary Commission was able to observe elections. The responsibility for governing and administering the rest of Korea, occupied by United Nations Forces, is being exercised provisionally by the Unified Command.
§ Mr. FootCan the Under-Secretary say exactly when the Commission will be taking over full authority in North Korea?
§ Mr. DaviesNo, Sir. As I have stated, they are expected to arrive, or to leave Tokyo for Korea, on 23rd November, and then the subsequent form of Government and administration will depend upon the recommendations which they make to United Nations.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanCan the Under-Secretary say whether it has been made quite clear to the Unified Command—which, one gathers, means General MacArthur—that British troops were sent into Korea to save South Korea from aggression by North Korea, and not to fasten upon North Korea the corrupt and bloodthirsty Government of Syngman Rhee?
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesI cannot accept the implication in the latter part of that supplementary question. The Unified Command is fully aware of the Security Council resolution by which the situation in Korea is governed.