§ 46. Mr. Gammansasked the Prime Minister if, following on the recent Commonwealth Conference, he proposes to make any further personal efforts to influence a settlement between India and Pakistan over the question of Kashmir.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)The Kashmir dispute is on the agenda of the Security Council and is likely to come up shortly for discussion there. The United Kingdom Government are now considering, in the light of the recent informal discussions with Commonwealth Prime Ministers in London, what instructions they should give to the United Kingdom representative on the Council. I am, as always, ready to do whatever may be possible to facilitate an agreed settlement of this question.
§ Mr. GammansDoes the Prime Minister realise that if this dispute goes much further, there is a very real danger of war breaking out between these two Dominions? Would he care to make a statement on what took place in his efforts to settle this matter so that the public may have some idea of who is standing in the way of a settlement?
§ The Prime MinisterIn reply to the first question I would say that I have always been conscious of the dangers that might arise out of this dispute if it was not settled. My reply to the hon. Member's second question is that it is quite obvious that it would be improper for me, as one Prime Minister, to make a statement about informal discussions with other Prime Ministers.
§ Mr. DraysonDoes the Prime Minister intend to brand any party as an aggressor in this matter?