HC Deb 10 March 1952 vol 497 cc1013-4
53. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will propose to the Security Council of the United Nations that the Council shall invite the Chinese Nationalist authorities in Formosa to withdraw the Chinese Nationalist Forces at present in the Kengtung Province of Burma.

Mr. Nutting

No, Sir.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Have not the Burma Government a right under the Charter to demand the withdrawal of these troops? Are not the Siamese Government ready to allow them to cross Siam, and should we not, therefore, ask the Chinese Nationalist spokesman in the Security Council to give an assurance that orders have been given for their withdrawal?

Mr. Nutting

It is certainly the right of the Burma Government to ask for the withdrawal of these troops. We have made our proposal for dealing with this situation. As regards action in the Security Council, the Burma Government have themselves said that they do not think it would serve any useful purpose.

Sir T. Moore

Could we not also invite the Chinese to withdraw their forces from Korea?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Would the hon. Gentleman ensure by some means that the Chinese Nationalist authorities in Formosa do give the necessary orders to these men to come out of Kengtung?

Mr. Nutting

Naturally, we shall do everything we can in order to take the heat out of this potentially dangerous situation, but I would prefer that we should concentrate on the course of action proposed by my right hon. Friend in the foreign affairs debate.