HC Deb 06 June 1951 vol 488 cc980-1
2. Mr. F. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a further statement regarding the situation in Tibet.

Mr. H. Morrison

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 4th June to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans).

Mr. Maclean

Is it not the declared policy of His Majesty's Government to maintain Tibetan autonomy, and will not the Foreign Secretary agree that at the present time it seems most unlikely, to say the least, that Tibet will remain autonomous or, indeed, be anything except another Soviet satellite? Can he say what action His Majesty's Government propose to take?

Mr. Morrison

It is, of course, of some importance what the attitude of the Tibetan Government is, but for external relations it is surely a matter in the first instance for India.

Mr. M. Philips Price

Is it not a fact that we now have no power in this matter, seeing that India is a neighbour of Tibet and not ourselves?

Mr. Morrison

I think there is a great deal of truth in what my hon. Friend says.

Mr. Pickthorn

Do the last two replies mean that His Majesty's Government regard themselves as incapable of having a policy on Tibet because India is nearer?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir, it does not mean that; but the fact has to be faced that we have no diplomatic representation in Tibet.

Mr. Henry Hopkinson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether His Majesty's Government are in consultation with the Governments of India, Pakistan and Nepal on this question?

Mr. Morrison

We are being kept informed as to the position in India.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not possible to bring the matter before the Security Council?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think it is for us to bring it up there. Tibet did bring it before the Security Council, but I do not know whether they are going to pursue the matter.

Mr. Maclean rose

Mr. Speaker

We cannot take all our time on this Question.