HC Deb 26 October 1953 vol 518 cc2417-9
15. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals Her Majesty's Government has for supporting the admission of Communist China to membership of the United Nations Specialised Agencies.

Mr. Nutting

Each of the Specialised Agencies may take decisions on this matter independently of the United Nations itself, but for their part Her Majesty's Government hold that the same considerations apply in both cases.

Mr. Hamilton

Is it not a fact that both our Government and the American Government have consistently said that Communist China could not be admitted into the United Nations until they gave evidence of good faith? Would it not be a good idea for our Government to take the initiative in this matter, in order to allow Communist China into some of the Specialised Agencies to give such evidence?

Mr. Nutting

As the hon. Gentleman realises, it is a question largely of which China should be seated in these Agencies. So far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned, we believe that the same considerations apply to the Specialised Agencies as apply to the United Nations.

Mr. Hamilton

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why the Government supported the entry of Franco Spain into U.N.E.S.C.O., yet cannot support the admission of Communist China?

Mr. Nutting

That is a completely different question, but I have answered it on many occasions. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Well, on several occasions. If the hon. Gentleman will look up my answer, I am sure he will be satisfied.

27. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the United Kingdom delegate initiated a resolution in the Assembly of the United Nations to defer consideration for the current session of the representation of the Central People's Government of China in the United Nations when hostilities ended in Korea.

Mr. Nutting

I would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 21st October.

Mr. Swingler

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that on 30th July the Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking for the Government in the House, said that in his view the conclusion of a Korean armistice had brought nearer the time for settling this problem of Chinese representation in the United Nations? Why did the United Kingdom delegate to the United Nations, on 15th September, in direct contradiction to the Chancellor's statement, move to postpone consideration of this issue? When do the Government think that conditions will be fulfilled for bringing it forward?

Mr. Nutting

Our representative did not act in contradiction of what the Chancellor said in this House. If the hon. Member will look at the terms of the resolution passed by the United Nations this year and compare that resolution on this burning question of Chinese representation with that of the previous year he will see that this year's resolution is much more restricted.