HC Deb 24 March 1952 vol 498 cc26-8
53. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has received from the United Nations concerning the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics' official complaint that United Nations forces in Korea have been guilty of carrying on germ warfare.

Mr. Eden

A report has been received from the Permanent United Kingdom delegate to the United Nations on the discussions in the first meeting of the Disarmament Commission in New York on 14th March, at which the Soviet representative repeated the charges of germ warfare by United Nations forces in Korea. The United States delegate recalled that Mr. Acheson had unequivocally refuted this charge which was entirely unwarranted and false. Mr. Acheson had also suggested an impartial investigation by an international agency, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, to obtain the facts. In the view of Her Majesty's Government this is a fair and proper offer and we wholeheartedly support it.

Mr. Henderson

Has this offer to arrange for the International Red Cross investigation been made direct to the Chinese Government in Peking and, if so, what was their reply?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. The International Red Cross sent a letter to Mr. Acheson himself, to the North Korean Commander-in-Chief and to the Commander of the Chinese Forces in Korea—all three of them—expressing willingness to undertake an investigation provided it is acceptable to both sides. So far as I am aware, there has been no response as yet from the Communist side. I ought to add that there has also been an offer by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to provide a body under their authority; but, if I may express a view, I think that the International Red Cross is the best suited of all for this purpose.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that bacteriological warfare under any circumstances should be prohibited? Is he prepared to allow the International Red Cross to investigate the preparations for bacteriological warfare which are alleged to have been made in this country, and can the right hon. Gentleman categorically deny that such preparations for bacteriological warfare are being made in Great Britain?

Mr. Eden

That is the first I have ever heard of anything of the kind, but if investigations are required into that, perhaps a Question could be put down. What I am dealing with here is the definite and precise Communist charge on which we have offered an international inquiry. If the hon. Member has other charges to make against his country, or any other, we might investigate them, too.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Is it not a fact that in the disarmament proposals which we and the other Western Powers put to the Disarmament Commission, we have in fact offered to allow the fullest investigation into every kind of preparation for warlike operation, and the Soviet Union have not yet agreed to those proposals?

Mr. Eden

That is absolutely true. I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for his timely reminder.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, and as I have already put a Question on the Order Paper which was unsatisfactorily answered, I give notice that I will raise the matter and ask for the fullest possible inquiry to be made into our attitude to bacteriological warfare.