HC Deb 25 July 1951 vol 491 cc444-6
10. Mr. Henry Hopkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will endeavour to arrange for the Pacific Defence Pact to be concluded between Australia and New Zealand and the United States of America, to be open to accession by the United Kingdom in respect of Hong Kong and Malaya.

Mr. Ernest Davies

No, Sir. As was stated in the House on 19th and 25th April, this Pact is of limited application. It is hoped that it will prove possible to make further security arrangements covering the general area of South-East Asia, but so far we have not found this to he practicable.

Mr. Hopkinson

Did not the Foreign Secretary say on 19th April that it would not have been unwelcome to us to participate, and is it not a fact that the Pact has not been finally concluded or the final terms agreed upon? Would he not see whether it is not possible to arrange for British participation?

Mr. Davies

The text of the Pact has recently been published and it has been initialled, but it is not practicable for this Pact to be extended at the present time; one reason being that the other countries concerned are not ready so to extend it.

Mr. Harold Macmillan

Does not the hon. Gentleman think it is unfortunate that a pact of this importance should be entered into by two members of the Commonwealth without the adhesion of the Mother Country?

Mr. Davies

As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, we have full understanding and relationship with the Commonwealth countries as regards deferce in the Pacific.

Commander Noble

Does the answer of the Minister mean that Hong Kong and Malaya are not covered by this Pact in any way?

Mr. Davies

As I have said, we have close relationship with the Commonwealth, and Australia is assisting us in the air in Malaya.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that if unilateral pacts of this sort are made it will be extremely difficult later on to make a comprehensive defence arrangement for the whole of the Pacific area, and therefore that every side of the arrangements should have the adhesion of all those who will later participate in the Pacific Pact?

Mr. Davies

My right hon. Friend has made it quite clear to the House that we favour ultimately an extension of the Pact, or some similar pact including the whole of South-East Asia and the Pacific area, and we hope that some such pact will be possible. [An HON. MEMBER: "Why not take the initiative?"] We do not consider it practicable at the present time.

Mr. Follick

Will the Under-Secretary kindly inform me and the House about the Archipelago of Fiji, which is one of the most important strategic points in all that area, especially with regard to Australia and New Zealand. In the Pacific Pact—

Hon. Members

Speech.

Mr. Ellis Smith

It is a maiden speech!

Mr. Follick

Is the Minister aware of the great number of British Colonies in that area, and will he insist that all these British interests, apart from the Commonwealth position, are protected?

Mr. Davies

I can certainly give my hon. Friend the assurance that these very important islands will not be overlooked.