HC Deb 03 July 1957 vol 572 cc1084-6
25. Mr. Peyton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the decision of the United Nations Command in Korea regarding the provision of modern weapons.

46. Mr. Beswick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the decision to equip the United Nations forces in South Korea with more modern arms was considered by the United Nations; whether nuclear weapons are to be included in these new arms; and what representations on this matter have been made by Her Majesty's Government's delegate at the United Nations.

Commander Noble

As was made clear in the statement made by the United Nations Command in the Military Armistice Commission on 21st June, the action now proposed has been made necessary by the continued violations by the Communist side of Article 13 (d) of the Armistice Agreement and the requirement to restore the balance of forces in Korea. There is no intention of abrogating the Armistice Agreement as a whole, and the United Nations Command intends to continue to observe all its other provisions.

The other member countries of the United Nations directly concerned including the United Kingdom were informed in advance of the United Nations Command's intentions. We appreciate the reasons for the proposed action and agree with it. As has been stated by the United States Assistant Secretary of Defence, no atomic weapons are being introduced into South Korea at this time. No representations have been made by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom at the United Nations.

I am arranging for copies of the statement made by the United Nations Command in Korea and of a statement made by the American Department of Defence to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Peyton

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether adequate protest has yet been made to the Communist Powers concerning these quite unwarrantable breaches of a highly important Armistice Agreement? Would he not agree that such breaches by the Communists completely poison the international climate and make the task of reaching wider agreement even more difficult and hazardous than it was before?

Commander Noble

I agree with my hon. Friend. Continued representations have been made in the Military Armistice Commission about such violations, but without avail.

Mr. Beswick

If the forces are beginning to build up again in this part of the world, is it not even more essential that there should be, at any rate, some liaison between what is called the United Nations Command and the United Nations itself? Am I to understand from the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's answer to my Question that there is no consultation at all and no connection at all between the United Nations and this Command which styles itself the United Nations Command?

Commander Noble

No, Sir, it is understood that the United States Government, acting for the United Nations Command, are to make a report shortly to the United Nations.