HC Deb 09 May 1951 vol 487 cc1942-3
28. Mr. Profumo

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is now delaying the appointment of a successor to Sir Alvary Gascoigne as head of the United Kingdom Liaison Mission in Japan.

Mr. H. Morrison

The question of appointing a successor to Sir Alvary Gascoigne is under consideration, but I have at present nothing to add to the answer given on the 16th April to the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion Division (Mr. Teeling).

Mr. Profumo

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that, owing to the vacuum which has been caused by the departure of General MacArthur, and, in addition, because of the negotiations at present going on about a peace treaty, it is of the very greatest importance that a new representative of ambassadorial rank should be appointed forthwith?

Mr. Morrison

We have a senior officer of considerable competence acting for us in Japan. We are considering the matter, but if the peace treaty is concluded at a reasonably early date, there is something to be said for waiting so that we can have the same person as full ambassador when the new regime starts. I will watch the timing of it, because that may not be possible.

Mr. Teeling

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it was in the middle of February that Sir Alvary Gascoigne left; that it is rather long to leave this matter; and that the Japanese people will believe that we are literally giving up our position?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think so, because we have a very competent officer there. I will continue to watch the matter.

Mr. Eden

Quite apart from the question of representation, the right hon. Gentleman referred to the peace treaty. May I ask him to bear in mind that many of us would like to know what is going on about that treaty? We do not want to be committed to something we know absolutely nothing about.

Mr. Paton

Will my right hon. Friend take into account, in this matter, the very great importance which is attached in a country like Japan to questions of status and rank? Does he not think it necessary, at a time when a treaty is under discussion, that we should be represented in Japan by an officer of the highest rank?

Mr. Morrison

I will keep the point in mind.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

In view of the importance of co-ordinating policy in connection with the shipment of materials between Japan and China, is it not very important that we should have an officer of the highest rank in Japan at present?

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