PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN (TALKS) (Hansard, 12 November 1959)

§ 50. Mr. Fernyhough
asked the Prime Minisiter whether he will make a statement on his conversations with Mr. Kishi, the Japanese Prime Minister, when he visited London in August.

§ 51. Mr. Healey
asked the Prime Minister if he will publish an account of his recent official conversations with the Prime Minister of Japan.

§ The Prime Minister
It is not customary to divulge the details of confidential talks with statesmen of other countries. A joint communiqué was issued on 15th July, at the end of Mr. Kishi's visit.

§ Mr. Fernyhough
Is the Prime Minister aware that, when Mr. Kishi returned to Japan, he held a Press conference and at that Press conference he told the correspondents that the British Prime Minister had told him that Japan's policy of not recognising Communist China was wise and realistic? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is playing fair to tell the Japanese to do something which we ourselves do not do, and does he think that it will help to reach a sensible peace at any summit talks if he continues this isolation of China?

§ The Prime Minister
In the first place, I would not wish to go beyond the communiqué issued for once we do that all these private talks will become impossible, but in fact I am informed that the Japanese Prime Minister did not 599 use the words quoted. I will read to the House what he said: I stated to Prime Minister Macmillan my views to the effect that Japan has under the present circumstances no intention of undertaking recognition of Communist China but desires to improve economic relations with her. He showed understanding of my views.

§ Mr. Healey
Is the Prime Minister aware that reports of Mr. Kishi's account of their conversation, correct or not, have created a widespread impression that the Government's policy on China is double-faced? In order to correct that impression, will the right hon. Gentleman now agree that, at a time when the whole world is deeply concerned with the threat of Chinese foreign policy, it is neither wise nor realistic to pretend that the Chinese Government do not exist?

§ The Prime Minister
That is another question. I am glad that the opportunity has been granted to me by a Question to give the House a correct account of the remarks which the Prime Minister of Japan made.