HC Deb 07 May 1952 vol 500 c373
7. Mr. Philips Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken through the United Nations to secure that in those parts of South Korea where conditions are now stable a scheme of land reform is initiated; and whether the government of Mr. Syngman Rhee has been informed of the desirability of this step.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

In their Report to the Sixth Session of the United Nations General Assembly, covering the period from 7th October, 1950, to 5th September, 1951, the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea expressed the view that, as a result of the Land Reform Act of 1949, the evils of the system of land tenure previously existing in South Korea have to a large extent already been removed. The Commission consider that this is greatly to the credit of the Government of the Republic of Korea, which, despite the fighting, has pressed on with land reform.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could the Minister tell us what were the evils which were removed, to which he referred in his answer?

Mr. Lloyd

If I may give an example of what has happened, by 20th April, 1951, a total of about 1,700,000 acres had been distributed to about 1,200,000 recipients, each household receiving an average of 1.3 acres.

Mr. Hughes

But as this is Bolshevism, could the Minister tell us what the war has been about?