HC Deb 27 July 1953 vol 518 cc867-8
9. Mr. Benn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what decisions were reached at Washington with regard to the peaceful unification of Korea.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I would refer the hon. Member to the sentence in the communiqué issued on the 14th July, which says: They (that is, the three Foreign Ministers) agreed to pursue every effort to assist the stouthearted and sorely-tried Koreans to reunite peacefully under institutions of their own choosing.

Mr. Benn

While no one in the House would disagree with what the right hon. and learned Gentleman has expressed as the hope of H.M. Government, would he not agree that it is rather dangerous to give President Syngman Rhee the idea that the United Nations Command will be able to achieve this reunification, and, in the event of it not being possible, give Mr. Syngman Rhee the opportunity to restart the war should he choose to do so?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think that the peaceful reunification of Korea will be a matter for the United Nations Command at all. It will be a matter for the political conference which, we hope, will be set up as a result of the meeting of the General Assembly.