§ 20. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the armistice talks at Panmunjom.
§ Mr. NuttingThe armistice negotiations have continued in secret session. There is no new development to report.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesHas the Under-Secretary considered the possibility of agreeing to disagree—that is to say, as agreement has been reached on every aspect except the exchange of prisoners, to have a truce on the basis of agreement so far, leaving the matter of the prisoners to be settled during future talks?
§ Mr. NuttingI can assure the hon. Gentleman that every conceivable method of getting agreement at Panmunjom is under consideration between ourselves and the other interested Governments. I should prefer at the moment not to be drawn into revealing proposals which have been made in secret session at Panmunjom.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltCan my hon. Friend tell me whether the Government have put it to the Chinese Government or the North Korean Government that these prisoners of war, who constitute the only subject left outstanding, are, in fact, asking for political asylum for which there are many precedents in history?
§ Mr. NuttingI can assure my hon. Friend that it must be well known to the Chinese and the North Korean authorities that these prisoners, who have so far steadfastly refused to be sent back to China or North Korea, are genuinely seeking political asylum.