§ 27. Mr. Donnellyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature of the representations which he has received from the United States Government asking for British participation in a naval blockade of China.
§ Mr. DonnellyI am very glad to hear it. Under those circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Government of the United States about the statement made by the U.S. Deputy Secretary for Defence last Wednesday, and make it perfectly clear that in the event of any naval blockade which is undertaken without the consent of the United Nations, not one British ship or one British life will be risked because of any hysterics?
§ Mr. EdenI have looked up the statement. I think it said that a number of alternative courses are available—they certainly are. Our own views on this matter are well known to the United States Government and, as I have said many times in the House, there is no commitment of any kind on our part.