HC Deb 25 January 1954 vol 522 c1433
10. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to negotiate a new Anglo-Burmese Treaty; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 20th January to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid), to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Donnelly

Has the attention of the right hon. and learned Gentleman been drawn to the fact that the Burmese ambassadors to Peking and Moscow have been recalled to Rangoon to discuss the possibility of a pact with China and Russia? Is he fully aware of the consequences of delay in this matter?

Mr. Lloyd

Her Majesty's Government are very anxious to come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Government of Burma on the matter.

Mr. Wyatt

Is the Minister aware that two of the points which are holding up negotiations are quite trivial, one being that Her Majesty's Government will not guarantee the supply of arms to Burma and the other being that they insist on any communications from the Government of Burma on military matters being funnelled or channelled through the military mission in Burma, whereas the Government of Burma would rather communicate direct with Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think that either of those two matters is preventing agreement.

Mr. Donnelly

Can the Minister go so far as to say that action will be taken to speed up these negotiations?

Mr. Lloyd

Negotiations are going on at present.

Back to