HC Deb 26 May 1952 vol 501 cc924-5
21. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the deadlock which has been reached in the Korean truce negotiations, he will now arrange with the United Nations Organisation for a member of Her Majesty's Government to visit Korea at once and then report to the House of Commons.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No, Sir.

Mr. Donnelly

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is a growing impression that since the change of Government there has been very much less information given to this House about the Korean war? For example, can the right hon. and learned Gentleman now answer one question which was addressed to him in the Adjournment debate the other night and which was repeated by my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones), about the screening of these prisoners? What did the Foreign Secretary mean by saying in his statement on 7th May, that there would be impartial representatives?

Mr. Lloyd

This supplementary question does not seem to have anything to do with the Question on the Order Paper, which deals with a Minister going to Korea.

Mr. Donnelly

On a point of order. Can I ask your guidance and help, Mr. Speaker? We have continually addressed Questions to the right hon. and learned Gentleman and to the Foreign Secretary about the prisoners in Korea. May I ask you, to safeguard the rights of Private Members of this House, how we can get the right hon. and learned Gentleman to get the information to give to this House without sending a representative out?

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid that that is not a question for me. I understand that the question of the Korean prisoners of war will be debated on the Adjournment.

Mr. Donnelly

In view of the grossly unsatisfactory nature of the reply and the right hon. and learned Gentleman's complacency, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again on the Adjournment.

Mr. Follick

On a point of order. I do not often raise these questions, but I had hoped to ask a rather important question on Question No. 20. Should I be in order in putting the question now?

Mr. Speaker

I am sorry I did not observe the hon. Gentleman rise to ask the question.