HC Deb 09 July 1952 vol 503 cc1288-9
3. Mr. F. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many communications he has addressed to the Chinese Peoples' Government since 1st January, 1952; and to which of these he has received replies.

Mr. Nutting

Between 1st January and 27th June, 1952, Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking addressed 134 communications to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Of these, 18 called for no answer; one was officially answered in writing; and 66 were not answered in writing, but elicited the appropriate action. The remainder were neither answered nor apparently effective.

Mr. Maclean

Does my hon. Friend consider that this score is satisfactory?

Mr. Nutting

We certainly consider that we should maintain a representative in Peking, for the time being at any rate, because we consider that he can perform a useful function in assisting to maintain the morale of the British colony in China.

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