HC Deb 07 July 1952 vol 503 cc881-2
20. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what offers of mediation on the question of the repatriation of prisoners of war in Korea he has received; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No formal offer of mediation on the prisoners of war question has been received from any quarter by Her Majesty's Government.

23. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the present state of the armistice talks at Panmunjom.

24. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the latest proposals for an exchange of prisoners made by the Communists at Panmunjom.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The talks at Panmunjom are at present being held in secret session. I should prefer not to add at present to the accounts already given the House in my statement on 1st July, and in the White Paper published the same day.

Mr. Henderson

Have Her Majesty's Government conveyed their views on these latest proposals to the United States Government and other interested Governments?

Mr. Lloyd

We are in touch with the United States Government and other interested Governments on the latest proposals for resolving the deadlock. We are also in touch on other proposals designed to achieve the same object.

Mr. Wyatt

Will the Minister impress in the proper quarters the fact that this is not a mere talking point as far as the Communists are concerned, because very real considerations of prestige are involved for them? Does he not agree that their latest proposals represented a slight advance and that they should be followed up rather than dampened down?

Mr. Lloyd

I quite agree that any proposal must be carefully considered.