HC Deb 09 May 1951 vol 487 cc1944-5
31. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Departments, other than the Foreign Office, have sent officials to Washington to discuss the forthcoming peace treaty with Japan in recent weeks; what officials and from which Departments have been sent to Tokyo to discuss the peace treaty; and if he will give an assurance that the repayment of pre-war loans and debts are amongst the subjects they are discussing.

Mr. H. Morrison

The Board of Trade has sent one official to Washington in recent weeks. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "None, Sir." The answer to the third part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir."

Mr. Teeling

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is that the high official to whom he referred earlier was sent to Tokyo with the idea that Sir Alvary Gascoigne would, on his return, represent this country at Washington during the peace treaty talks? In view of the fact that that has not happened, will he make quite sure that in any future negotiations, especially with Mr. Dulles, not only the Foreign Office but the Treasury and all other Departments concerned will take an active part?

Mr. Morrison

We will take whatever is the most suitable course, and see that the Government are adequately served by appropriate officials. I hope hon. Members will not incite us to send too many civil servants to Washington.

Mr. Eden

I do not want to incite the right hon. Gentleman to do that, but to incite him about this, that the House is very much interested in the Japanese peace treaty. I would ask him to bear in mind that I do not think there has ever been a peace treaty on which less information has been given to the House of Commons than appears to be given in this case.

Mr. Morrison

I understand the right hon. Gentleman's point of view, but I think he is a little unreasonable because we have not got very far yet. But there will come a time—[An HON. MEMBER: "Does the right hon. Gentleman know how far he has got?"] We have not got so far that it is right that I should say how far we have got, but there will come a time when the House must be consulted about the matter.