§ 46. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the official statement of General Harrison that time in the discussions at Panmunjom is running out; and whether he will give an assurance that it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to continue the armistice discussions, so long as there is a prospect of achieving a reasonable compromise on the prisoners-of-war issue.
§ The Prime MinisterI do not interpret the statement referred to as meaning that a time limit has been set on the discussions at Panmunjom. That is certainly not my understanding. My answer to the second part of the Question is, therefore, that I can give the assurance asked. Meanwhile, according to Reuters Agency, a new eight-point plan has been put forward by the Communists. As soon as this reaches us in official form we shall give it most careful attention.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCan the Prime Minister confirm that it is true, as reported, that negotiations are largely carried on by the reading of typewritten statements which are subsequently immediately read to the Press? Does not the Prime Minister consider that that combines the disadvantages of all the systems of carrying on such work?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not at all sure that it is not a little premature to judge. I have not felt at all convinced that General Harrison is not striving earnestly for the result we all have in view. Far from it. Also, I think that to make great changes now in the method of discussion would involve a lot of correspondence and might in fact hamper the movement of events. As the right hon. Gentleman probably knows, Mr. Murphy, 567 who is a very skilled diplomatist, is the political advisor to General Mark Clark. I do not think it should be represented that this is being done in a rough and crude way. Indeed, I still hope that a solution may be reached.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMay I say that I did not in any way intend to criticise General Harrison, who is doing his duty according to his instructions? Our anxiety is that the influence and wisdom of other members of the United Nations may be brought effectively to bear in the very great issues now being decided there.
§ Mr. WyattCan the Prime Minister say whether he has seen that on more than one occasion General Harrison has stated that the progress of the talks is at zero? Does this represent the view of the Government of this country and of the United States? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much latitude General Harrison is allowed and how much he has to refer to higher authority, because if it is the official view that progress is at zero it is not very encouraging?
§ The Prime MinisterIf progress so far has been at zero it seems at any rate to leave a large field for expansion.