§ 14. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far the truce talks in Korea have been advanced up to date; upon what points agreement has and has not been reached; and what steps he is now taking in conjunction with the other Governments of the United Nations to resolve the outstanding points of disagreement.
§ Mr. NuttingI would refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's reply on 29th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser).
As regards the last part of the Question, Her Majesty's Government are, of course, in constant communication with the United States Government. Throughout the armistice talks we have also had frequent, though of course informal, exchanges with the Indian Government, as with other friendly Governments.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister not realise that the reply that was given on 29th October is out of date and that I am asking for facts which are up to date? Does he not also realise that the men who are conducting these talks have up to the present proved ineffective, and that there is a widespread desire for a change that will bring to the world that peace for which it is yearning?
§ Mr. NuttingIf the hon. and learned Gentleman's references to the men who are conducting the talks are references to the United Nations negotiators, then I can only say that I take his remarks as exceedingly ungenerous and inaccurate. As to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 29th October, I regret to say that no further progress has been made. Therefore, that statement is not out of date.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware, when he says my remarks are ungenerous, that the present state of affairs is not only ungenerous but is unfair to the world that is longing for peace, and I ask what he proposes to do to change the personnel and bring peace?
§ Mr. NuttingThe United Nations Command have now spent 15 or 16 months negotiating this armistice and have done their utmost to bring about peace.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCan the hon. Gentleman say anything about the last statement upon this matter made by Mr. Vyshinsky in the Assembly of the United Nations?
§ Mr. NuttingMr. Vyshinsky's latest statement in answer to the particular question whether he insists that prisoners of war should be forced back at the point of the bayonet was somewhat imprecise. As my right hon. Friend said in his speech to the United Nations yesterday, this encourages us to hope that he will at least examine the four principles which were laid down by my right hon. Friend.