§ 29. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what answer he has given to the reply sent by the Government of Burma to his proposal that an impartial commission should be sent under the auspices of the United Nations to investigate the circumstances under which Chinese Nationalist troops are at present in Burma.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)We have so far received no communication from the Government of Burma on this subject.
§ Mr. WyattHas the Under-Secretary seen the statement by the Prime Minister of Burma at a Press conference in which he described the proposals as completely impracticable, and did not the British Ambassador in Burma follow up the reference by the Prime Minister at the Press conference? Is it not understood that the only action which is required is to put pressure through the Americans on Chiang Kai-shek to remove the troops from Burma?
§ Mr. NuttingIt is really a matter for the Burma Government, if they do not like the proposals which my right hon. Friend made in the debate some time ago, to decide what alternative measures they would accept.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMight I press the hon. Gentleman on this? Have any representations been made to Chiang Kai-shek that these troops should be removed? After all, they are under his command.
§ Mr. NuttingThat is really another question. So far as the United States and General Chiang Kai-shek's own administration are concerned, they have repeatedly assured us that they have no connection whatsoever with the troops who are at the moment in Burma.
§ Mr. WyattHow can the hon. Gentleman say that, since it is well known that Chiang Kai-shek's forces on Formosa have been supplying the Nationalist troops in Burma?
§ Mr. NuttingThat is precisely what is not known and that is precisely the reason why my right hon. Friend put forward the suggestion for a fact-finding commission.
§ Sir H. WilliamsMight I ask my hon. Friend what responsibility he has for the Government of Burma?