HC Deb 26 October 1953 vol 518 cc2414-6
14. Mr. Jay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reasons which led Her Majesty's Government to agree to the statement on the 16-nation declaration on Korea, made public on 8th August, that, in case of a breach of the armistice, in all probability it would not be possible to confine hostilities within the frontier of Korea.

Mr. Eden

The reasons were fully explained in the statement issued to the Press with the authority of the Prime Minister on 15th August, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Jay

In view of the continued delicate situation in Korea, does not the Foreign Secretary now recognise that this declaration was a serious mistake? Will he tell the House whether he agrees with the statement in the declaration that any future hostilities probably could not be confined to Korea?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir, I do not think it was a mistake, nor do I think that anything specifically new is contained in this declaration; but as a warning, I think it may well have been useful though, for reasons given at the time, it added nothing to our existing commitments.

Mr. Jay

Does the Foreign Secretary agree with that particular statement in the declaration?

Mr. Eden

I am not sure that the right hon. Gentleman quoted the words correctly. I should like to look them up. Perhaps he will put a Question down?

24. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations have taken place with other Governments in order to agree on the policy to be pursued in the event of the Korean truce being broken by a military initiative by President Rhee or by forces under his command.

Mr. Eden

The position regarding discussions was stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House on 30th July. Our first concern is to ensure that the contingency shall not arise. But if it should, we have reserved our right to decide our course of action in the light of the circumstances which may prevail at the time.

Sir R. Acland

Is the Minister fully aware that in view of the long course of behaviour of Syngman Rhee in these matters it will prove extraordinarily difficult in almost all circumstances to win the support of British people for any further fighting in Korea in which we are in alliance with him?

Mr. Eden

That is not the hon. Member's original Question. As regards the original Question, I looked up the Chancellor's statement on 30th July and it is quite specific. It states: Her Majesty's Government are in no way committed before the event to any action they may take."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th July, 1953; Vol. 518, c. 1559.]

29. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will define the circumstances in which Her Majesty's Government would take action in accordance with the terms of the 16-nation declaration on Korea published on 8th August.

Mr. Eden

I have nothing to add to the terms of the declaration, which seem unexceptionable.

Mr. Warbey

In view of the fact that some glosses on this declaration have been issued from 10 Downing Street during the Recess, and as there is considerable anxiety about the extent to which we may be committed in Korea, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if any incident arises in Korea the question of determining the responsibility for the act of aggression will be referred to the United Nations Security Council for consideration and that British troops will not be committed to further fighting before that action is taken?

Mr. Eden

I do not think it is reasonable that I should have to answer without seeing that question on the Order Paper. It goes far beyond the Question which has been put down.

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