§ 54. Mr. Wedgwood Bennasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make representations to the United Nations with a view to securing the appointment of a military, naval or air officer of the British Commonwealth Forces to the United Nations delegation to the truce talks with the North Korean and Chinese forces.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)No, Sir. His Majesty's Government are satisfied with existing arrangements. The present talks are purely military in scope and as such are being conducted by the Commander, to whom the United Nations have entrusted responsibility for military operations in Korea, in accordance with the Security Council's Resolution of 7th July, 1950.
§ Mr. BennIn view of the fact that the Gracious Speech contains a passage to the effect that the British Government intend to play their full part in restoring 648 peace to Korea, would the hon. Gentleman agree that British participation in the truce talks would be both desirable and useful?
§ Mr. NuttingWe have full confidence in General Ridgway's handling of the negotiations and we and other members of the United Nations with Forces in Korea are given full information about the progress of the cease fire talks in biweekly meetings in Washington. We have full information coming in from the Embassy in Washington and the Joint Services Mission.