HC Deb 26 May 1952 vol 501 cc925-9
22. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what part British forces will play in guarding prisoners of war in Korea.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

One company of the 1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry has been sent to Koje Island, on the orders of the United Nations Commander, to take part in guarding the prisoners of war there. Apart from United States and South Korean forces, the troops also engaged in this task now include Canadian, Netherlands and Greek contingents. The part to be played by the various contingents will be determined by the United Nations Command.

Mr. Edelman

As we have responsibility now for guarding these prisoners, should we not also have some share in the responsibility at the truce talks which will be responsible for disposing of the prisoners, and should not our attitude in this matter be, No responsibility without representation?

Mr. Lloyd

So far as the conduct of the truce talks is concerned, we have accepted the same machinery that was provided for that as the late Government accepted, and we see no reason to depart from that at the present time. The Question on the Order Paper relates to the guarding of prisoners of war, and not to the truce talks.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Could my right hon. and learned Friend tell us whether this is going to be a temporary measure or whether British troops are going to be permanently part of the guards?

Mr. Lloyd

I cannot answer that question.

Mr. Beswick

I wonder if the right hon. and learned Gentleman will make this point quite clear, bearing in mind what he said a little earlier? Is the trouble confined to one compound only of this camp? If so, is that the compound to which the British troops are going?

Mr. Lloyd

No, the trouble is not confined to one compound.

Mr. Ede

Will the Government have any say in the orders that are given to the British troops on this island?

Mr. Lloyd

No, the Government have agreed to a United Nations Command being in command of all United Nations forces in Korea. It will follow, therefore, that it will be for the United Nations Command to give orders to the troops under its command.

Mr. Driberg

Although the right hon. and learned Gentleman says that the same arrangements have been adopted as previously, will he not agree that the presence of British troops in the camp is a new factor, and is not the question of the prisoners of war, after all, the most important outstanding problem of the truce talks? Would he, therefore, not reconsider this matter on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, North (Mr. Edelman)?

Mr. Lloyd

When I said that the same arrangements had been adopted I was dealing with the truce talks, not the prisoners of war, and the Question relates to the guarding of prisoners of war.

Mr. Driberg

But the question of the prisoners of war constitutes one of the most important elements in the truce talks.

Mr. Ede

Did the right hon. and learned Gentleman hear the statement on the 1 o'clock news that the Commander on this island had stated that the communist prisoners of war were still in control of the camp? In view of the delicate situation that is apparent, will not the Government take a very active part in seeing what orders are given to British troops engaged in this task?

Mr. Lloyd

There are and there have been discussions between the Government and the United States Government with regard to these matters, but the troops are operationally under the command of the United Nations Command.

Mr. S. Silverman

On a point of order. May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker? In view of the statement which has been made that British troops are now going to operate in what obviously is an area of extremely delicate operations under foreign command—the United Nations Command, but a foreign command—who will be responsible in this House for answering Questions about the behaviour or discipline or operations of the British troops there?

Mr. Speaker

I think that that would depend on the Question, but certainly, as the troops are under the United Nations Command, I think Questions with regard to their employment should properly be addressed to the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Wyatt

Have the Government made known to the American authorities the very grave concern felt in this country among many people at the lapses of discipline which seems to operate in this camp? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take an opportunity, now that British troops are going to be there, to insist on much better order and arrangements at this camp?

Mr. Lloyd

The first part of the question really has nothing to do with the Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Wyatt

What about the second part?

Mr. Edelman

In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the answer and the attitude of the Minister of State, I wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Later—

Mr. Driberg

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask your permission to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, that is, the use of British troops for the guarding of Korean prisoner of war camps, in which Communist prisoners are in control, under conditions which will deprive this House of the right to secure full information about their operations and Her Majesty's Government of full control over them?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the use of British troops for the guarding of Korean prisoner of war camps, in which Communist prisoners are in control, under conditions which will deprive this House of the right to secure full information about their operations and Her Majesty's Government of full control over them.

Mr. Driberg

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Might I submit, before you give your Ruling, that the question of urgency arises because the troops are, as reported, being moved into these camps at this time.

Mr. Speaker

The use of British troops in Korea is under the command, as I understand it, of the United Nations Command, and their use as guards of prisoners of war does not seem to me to raise any new point different from their employment in ordinary operations. In those circumstances, I do not think I can rule that this question comes within the Standing Order, because the use of British troops under United Nations Command in Korea for whatever duties they are employed has been a long continuing matter and there is no sudden change in responsibility here that I can see.

Mr. S. Silverman

I only wish to ask how far the limits of such a Ruling would extend. Would this mean—I apologise for being slightly hypothetical—that no matter to what use the United Nations commander in the field chose to put British troops, placed at his disposal under a decision taken nearly two years ago, this House would nevertheless be debarred from discussing the matter as a definite matter of urgent public importance-?

Mr. Speaker

My Ruling certainly does not go as far as that. The employment of troops in a normal way, in the fighting line, on lines of communication or in guarding prisoners of war, is the extent to which my Ruling goes. I do not wish to give any Ruling on hypothetical cases, but on this matter I am perfectly clear.