HC Deb 06 June 1951 vol 488 cc985-6
7. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the United States State Department concerning the recent speech by Mr. Dean Rusk, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs.

Mr. H. Morrison

His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington conveyed to Mr. Acheson the misgivings of His Majesty's Government at Press reports of the speech tending to show that there had been a new development in United States policy towards China and Formosa. Mr. Acheson assured him that there had been no such development and that the speech indicated no modification of established American policy.

Mr. Driberg

Did Mr. Acheson explain to our Ambassador the apparent discrepancies between that speech and the policy which has always been understood to have been followed hitherto? Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that there will be no modification of British policy on the lines suggested in the speech?

Mr. Morrison

If my hon. Friend wants to put a Question down about British policy it would be better if he did so, rather than to put down a Question about American policy.

Mr. Driberg

In view of the constantly reiterated necessity of close harmony in major policy between the British and American Governments, surely we are entitled to ask for that assurance?

Mr. Osborne

Is it not true that the discrepancies referred to are much less than the discrepancies shown among speeches made by members of His Majesty's Government?

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Does my right hon. Friend understand from what Mr. Acheson told him that Mr. Rusk's speech not merely represents the present American policy but represents what American policy has always been? Can my right hon. Friend say whether in that respect his misgivings were increased or diminished by the statement?

Mr. Morrison

In the light of Mr. Acheson's statement to our Ambassador I really have no misgivings and, if I may say so, I do not think it is good for the House of Commons to take a line which is calculated to complicate Anglo-American relations.

Mr. Osborne

That is what some hon. Members opposite are doing all the while.