HC Deb 07 July 1952 vol 503 cc882-3
21. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far Part II of Command Paper No. 8596 on Korea is based upon the report of the United Nations court of inquiry; and whether he will now publish this report in full.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Part II of Command Paper No. 8596 was based partly on the United Nations Commander's report and partly on information obtained during my recent visit to Korea. I do not think that the information available to the House would be substantially increased by the action proposed in the second part of the Question. However, if the hon. Gentleman wishes, I am willing to place a copy of the United Nations Commander's report, as published in the United States, in the Library.

Mr. Swingler

Is it clear, then, that there has been a court of inquiry? Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman refreshed his memory on the answers he gave last week and on 19th May, when he said there was a court of inquiry as well as a report made by the Red Cross? Last week he was in some doubt whether the United Nations Commander's report was the report, and that there was not a court of inquiry. Could we have it clear that there was a court of inquiry, and, if there was, will he make that report available?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not recollect ever having stated that there was a court of inquiry, but I certainly have stated that inquiries have been made. However, I have the document in my hand, and I am willing to place it in the Library so that the hon. Gentleman will be able to investigate it.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman recall that on the occasion to which my hon. Friend has referred he did say that the White Paper, when published, would give us ample information about the report of the Red Cross? Is he aware that it does not give us much information about the Red Cross report and that it is very difficult to find anywhere in this country any copy of it? Does he not think that it would be useful if the Government made available to the House, as another White Paper, the report made by the Red Cross on their inquiry into the handling of the camp?

Mr. Lloyd

That is a very different question from the one on the Order Paper.

Mr. Swingler

Has the Minister read his reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 19th May, when he said: … let us see what is the result of this court of inquiry"?—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th May, 1952; Vol. 501, c. 11.] In relation to the events on Koje Island, he definitely said that there was a court of inquiry.

Mr. S. Silverman

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that it is hardly a sufficient answer to say, "That is quite a different question," when what I was asking about was his own undertaking that ample information about this Red Cross report would be given in the White Paper the Government published, and when he has not given it?