§ Mr. Wyatt(by Private Notice)asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the sudden release of 25,000 anti-Communist North Korean prisoners of war by the order of President Syngman Rhee and against the wishes of the United Nations Command.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)I have nothing to add to the statement which has been issued by the United Nations Headquarters at Tokyo to the Press and is now in the newspapers.
I have asked our Ambassador in Washington to ask for any further facts from the United States Government. Meanwhile, I have no more information to give the House.
§ Mr. WyattCan the Prime Minister, first of all, tell the House how it came about that the United States guards were unable to prevent the escape of these 25,000 prisoners, and, further, whether he proposes to repudiate this deliberate act of sabotage of the truce negotiations by Mr. Syngman Rhee; and, also, whether there is any indication yet, on the Communist side, of any reaction to this incident?
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while I agree that there is blame on the other side, so far as sabotaging the truce negotiations is concerned by the Chinese offensive at present—and I am not suggesting that the United States Government themselves are necessarily to blame—a very grave situation has arisen in which it looks as if it may well be impossible to conclude a truce effectively with Mr. Syngman Rhee in full possession in South Korea? Will 1183 he give consideration to the view, widely held in this country, that it may be necessary to declare a state of emergency and take this Government into preventive custody?
§ The Prime MinisterI think there is a general feeling in all parts of the House about the serious character of these events and also of the difficulty of measuring beforehand the consequences which it may have. In these circumstances, I would ask the indulgence of the House not to press me to try to say anything until we have further and fuller information.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI do think that the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) was worthy of an answer. This is obviously a very serious event, and would it not be right that the Prime Minister should give some indication of the regret of Her Majesty's Government that an action should have been taken by the President of South Korea which is liable to complicate and make infinitely difficult the truce negotiations and a settlement?
§ The Prime MinisterI was both shocked and grieved to read this report. I think that is felt in every part of the House. I still think that there may be a hope that the truce which is so nearly arranged will not be prevented.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the Prime Minister consider whether he may make a statement tomorrow morning, if events enable him to do so?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a hypothetical question. Naturally, if there is any necessity to make a statement, I will have one made.
§ Mr. BingDoes not the Prime Minister consider that one of the unfortunate factors which has led up to this situation is the acquiescence of everyone in allowing Mr. Syngman Rhee to suppress his Parliament, and will not the Prime Minister say a word in favour of the restoration of some form of parliamentary government?
§ Sir H. WilliamsOn a point of order. Is there not a rule of this House against making references to the heads of Foreign States?
§ Mr. SpeakerThere is against references of an abusive character.
§ Later—
§ Mr. DonnellyI beg to move, Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order No. 9, the Adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the escape of 45,000 —I understand now that it is 45,000— prisoners of war under the control of the United Nations in Korea.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House——
§ The Prime MinisterBefore you give your ruling, Mr. Speaker, I most respectfully submit that it is not a matter of Ministerial responsibilty here. We have absolutely no control over the immediate course of events.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat had occurred to me.
The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the escape of 45,000 prisoners of war under the control of the United Nations in Korea. I find this definitely not within the Standing Order. I cannot link it with Ministerial responsibilty of any kind on the part of Her Majesty's Ministers. Moreover, we are asking for more information. It would be quite outside the Standing Order to permit the Motion.
§ Mr. DribergOn the question of Ministerial responsibility, if it is in order to ask a Question of a Minister, whether by Private Notice or otherwise, surely a fortiori it must be possible to debate the matter on the Adjournment, since the rules of order governing debates on the Adjournment are much less rigid and restrictive than the rules of order governing Questions?
§ Mr. SpeakerThey are quite different. It is quite in order for a Minister to be asked by Private Notice if he has any information to give the House about happenings in foreign countries, but if every one of those were to involve the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 the purpose of the Standing Order would be defeated.
§ Mr. DonnellySurely all matters connected with the United Nations are matters of Ministerial responsibility. This is such a grave and important matter that it may indeed affect the whole peace of the Far East and, therefore, it is a matter both for urgent consideration by the Prime Minister and by this House, because we accept responsibility for having sent people to the Far East to undertake this war.
§ Mr. SpeakerI can find nothing in this incident, either on reading or hearing about it today, which involves any responsibility on Her Majesty's Government.