HC Deb 21 January 1953 vol 510 cc200-1
38. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the precise nature of his recent discussions with the United States Government regarding the question of China's admission to the United Nations.

Mr. Eden

There have been no such discussions recently.

Mr. Donnelly

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is about time we had some such discussion? In view of the fact that the Korean situation still exists, does not he consider that some step should at least be taken to get rid of Chiang Kaishek's representative in the United Nations for, whatever else may be said about the situation, there is nothing that can justify his continuing to sit there?

Mr. Eden

I do not think the hon. Gentleman's suggestion would be of any benefit at all. I have said on many occasions that the policy of the late Government in this respect is our policy and that while the Chinese People's Government are participating in aggression in Korea we are not prepared to take any initiative in this matter.

Mr. Bevan

While it may not be possible at this stage to get the People's Government of China on to the Security Council, is there any justification for retaining in membership with the United Nations the Chinese Nationalist Government? Is it not a fact that it might be possible to create a better atmosphere for successful negotiations in Korea if the Chinese were not continually threatened by a recrudescence of counter-revolutionary action by Chiang Kai-shek, and would it not be better to move in this matter rather than encourage this perpetual stalemate?

Mr. Eden

There is, of course, as the right hon. Gentleman must know, a Chinese seat on the Security Council and the late Government, of which he was a Member, and our Government have taken the view that it is not possible to change the occupation of that seat, even though we recognise the present Chinese Government, while they continue offensive military action against the United Nations in Korea.

Mr. Bevan

That is not the answer to my question. I do not ask that we should invite the Chinese People's Government to take that seat now. But is there any reason whatever why the seat should not be empty in the meantime rather than occupied by a number of people who are continually threatening war against the Chinese mainland?

Mr. Eden

I think the right hon. Gentleman will find that the late Government carefully considered this matter. It was not considered possible to have a vacuum. There is a Chinese Government seat which has to be occupied either by the present Government or by the late Government.