HC Deb 03 May 1954 vol 527 cc11-2
21. Mr. Bing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which nine countries, in addition to the United Kingdom, it is proposed should form the membership of the security association for South-East Asia.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I do not know to what proposal the hon. and learned Gentleman refers.

Mr. Bing

Has not the right hon. and learned Gentleman seen the statement made by the acting Foreign Minister of Australia in which he said that there are 10 countries to be included in this proposed pact, including Australia and New Zealand? Will he tell the House whether information given to Australia has been withheld from the Foreign Secretary here?

Mr. Lloyd

I have not seen the statement to which the hon. and learned Gentleman refers. So far as I am aware, there is no such proposal relating to 10 countries.

Mr. Bing

If I send the right hon. and learned Gentleman the statement, which appeared in "The Times," and put down a further Question, will he or the Foreign Secretary comment on it?

Mr. Lloyd

I will certainly consider anything the hon. and learned Gentleman sends me, but I repeat that there has been no such proposal about 10 countries joining in such an arrangement.

22. Mr. Bing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make in regard to the proposed security pact for South-East Asia.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 27th April.

Mr. Bing

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think, in view of his answer to the previous Question, that he should say that this country will not be a party to any arrangement to which India, Burma, Ceylon and other Commonwealth countries concerned are not parties?

Mr. Lloyd

I certainly do not think I could go so far. The Government are in exactly the position in the matter that they were when the Prime Minister made his recent statement.

Mr. Bing

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman's answer mean that he is prepared to consider entering into a pact from which these Commonwealth countries are excluded?

Mr. Lloyd

It depends entirely on the nature of the pact and on the purpose of the pact.