HC Deb 23 November 1953 vol 521 cc26-8
49. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the meetings at Panmunjom in connection with the proposed political conference on Korea.

Mr. Eden

There is nothing at present to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambeand Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 18th November. Mr. Dean's negotiations with the Communists at Panmunjom are now continuing.

Mr. Henderson

Would the Foreign Secretary not agree that this proposed political conference is of the most vital importance, because if it were successful it would make possible a five-Power conference to deal with other international tension throughout the world?

Mr. Eden

I entirely agree with the first part of the right hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary. It is of first importance to try to get this conference to meet, and that is why we have been in constant contact with the Governments principally concerned in these negotiations. A little progress was made at the weekend, but I have no information more recent than that.

Mr. Henderson

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my supplementary question? Would not a settlement of the Korean problem make possible a five-Power conference?

Mr. Eden

A settlement of the Korean problem would make possible further progress on other Far Eastern issues, but whether we make that progress is a matter on which I would like to reserve my opinion at the moment.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we have reached any understanding, because, according to the Press, negotiations are going on about the participation of neutrals in the Korean conference? Would not Mr. Dean's position be much stronger if he had with him other representatives of the United Nations?

Mr. Eden

The right hon. Gentleman is right with regard to the first part of his supplementary question. With regard to the second part, Mr. Dean is the representative of the United Nations as a whole. That was an arrangement made at the time, and I think we must all agree that he is carrying out that responsibility extremely patiently and well.