§ 48. Sir I. Horobinasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the disclosure of President Roosevelt's desire at Yalta for cession of Hong Kong to China, he will assure the House that Her Majesty's Government have never entertained and will in no circumstances entertain any such suggestion from whatever quarter.
§ The Prime MinisterHer Majesty's Government are resolved to maintain their position in Hong Kong. The passage in the recently published American record of the Yalta talks, which my hon. Friend no doubt has in mind, refers to a meeting between President Roosevelt and Marshal Stalin on 8th February, 1945, at which I was not present. According to the record President Roosevelt said he knew that I would have strong objections to this suggestion. That was certainly correct and even an under-statement.
§ Sir I HorobinDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that his answer will give great satisfaction and contribute greatly to the confidence and security of a loyal part of the British Empire? Will he also bear in mind that it strengthens the claim of Her Majesty's Government to its friendly co-operation in some of the difficult trade matters with which, we understand, my right hon. Friend is dealing today?
§ Mr. RankinOn a point of order. Is it in order for the Prime Minister to tell us we are going to keep Hong Kong and at the same time keep it in a state of semi-starvation?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That is a complete abuse of the rules of the House.