HC Deb 03 December 1951 vol 494 cc2020-2
50. Mr. Frederick Lee

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement of the Secretary of State for the Colonies at Singapore on 29th November, that the Government may reconsider the recognition of Communist China, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

No change is at present contemplated in our policy towards China.

Mr. Lee

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on the tape machine on Thursday, there was a report containing a statement that the Secretary of State for the Colonies had said at Singapore that the Conservative Government might review the question of the recognition of Communist China; and that, on the same afternoon, in another place, the Lord Privy Seal stated that Commonwealth unity had, in fact, been broken when the late Government recognised the Chinese Peoples' Government? Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that, during his visit to the United States, this is not one of the problems to be discussed?

The Prime Minister

The first part of the hon. Gentleman's Question seems to be covered by the statement I have made. Certainly, I have no desire to embark upon a discussion of what may or may not be discussed when I visit Washington.

Mr. Woodrow Wyatt

Will the Prime Minister tell his right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary that, if he does not stop saying in Malaya that political progress must be put into cold storage, we shall have lost Malaya before he gets back?

The Prime Minister

I should have thought that a rather more kindly feeling would have been expressed towards my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary, who is undertaking a mission of great difficulty, not unaccompanied by danger.

Mr. Shinwell

Could not the right hon. Gentleman and some of his hon. Friends have conveyed the some sentiments to the House when my right hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Strachey) went to Malaya?

The Prime Minister

I do not remember that any controversy of this character arose on the subject.

Mr. Shinwell

Does not the Prime Minister recollect the slanderous attacks made upon my right hon. Friend?

The Prime Minister

I am afraid I am not so deeply versed in slanderous attacks as the right hon. Gentleman.