§ 40. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether he will invite the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China to London in order that he may have discussions with him about membership of the United Nations.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)No, Sir. I do not consider that such an invitation would be useful at the present time.
§ Mr. WyattHow does the right hon. Gentleman distinguish between inviting Mr. Khrushchev and the Russian leaders and inviting the Chinese leaders to London? How will Mr. Khrushchev be able to persuade the Chinese that war is not inevitable, and how can we expect any disarmament negotiations to succeed, while we in the West continue to insult the Chinese? Should not the Prime Minister now take the initiative? Is he aware that in this matter, as in others, even his hon. Friends are now worried about his growing subservience to America?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that it is insulting to a man not to invite him. I have had a little experience in this and I have taken some initiatives. I regard the question of timing as all-important in issues of this character.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs the Prime Minister aware that the Prime Minister of Canada, in a notable speech, recently called for a review of Western policies towards China and for recognition of the importance of bringing that country into any political settlement? In the circumstances, will not the Prime Minister agree that it is enormously important to break through the wall which separates us in the West as a whole from China and make some progress in this direction?
§ The Prime MinisterThe reply to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I was about to point out—I think the Prime Minister was saying the same thing—that the first part of the right hon. Member's supplementary question anticipates Question No. 49. The rest of it is a different question.
§ The Prime MinisterThe first part arises on Question No. 49. On the second part, I repeat—I think the right hon. Gentleman will, on consideration, agree—that it is very much a matter of timing.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan the Prime Minister at least say whether, when he meets the new President of the United States, he will take up with him as one of the major points to be discussed the attitude of the West towards China?
§ The Prime MinisterThat anticipates another Question on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. WyattCan the Prime Minister say more about this matter of timing? His Government have now been in office for nearly ten years and nothing has yet been done. Will it be done within the next ten years?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Member, with his large knowledge of these matters, feels that I have failed to make any contribution to foreign affairs in trying to alleviate the position between West and East, he is, of course, entitled to take that view. I must be judged by my fellow-countrymen as a whole.
§ Mr. C. OsborneWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it would be most unwise to invite Mr. Chou En-lai to London until negotiations have taken place, so that he has something to go back to China with? It would be very unwise to invite him here and to send him back empty-handed.
§ The Prime MinisterI hope that my hon. Friend will not anticipate his own Question.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan the right hon. Gentleman say in which Question there is any reference to his talking to Senator Kennedy about relations with China?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that there is a Question about my meeting him.
§ Mr. GaitskellThat is on a totally different subject. Would not the right hon. Gentleman give us some indication of how the Government intend to proceed in what is, after all, a tremendously important issue?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. It would be very unwise to go beyond what was said by the Lord Privy Seal in the debate.
§ 43. Dame Irene Wardasked the Prime Minister whether, in considering a visit to the Far East, he will contemplate opening negotiations for a visit to the Chinese Government in Pekin.
§ The Prime MinisterI will bear my hon. Friend's inquiry in mind.
§ Dame Irene WardWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that quite "oncoming" Answer, may I ask him to bear in mind that a great many people would like him to take an initiative in Red China and to take the opportunity of visiting that country and making contact with those who now govern it?
§ The Prime MinisterI am always grateful for these suggestions and I understand the spirit of them. We are to debate the whole Chinese question in a day or two. In these personal efforts which I may try to make, I must try to choose favourable conditions having regard to all the complex problems involved, with our allies and otherwise.
§ 49. Mr. C. Osborneasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the Canadian Prime Minister called on 25th November for a realistic review of Western policies towards China, and a recognition of the importance of bringing that country into any major political settlement; what communications he has had with Mr. Diefenbaker on this matter; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have read the report of Mr. Diefenbaker's remarks. I would not however at this stage wish to add anything to what my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal said in the course of the debate on the Address on 4th November.
§ Mr. OsborneWhile not wishing to press my right hon. Friend to make a statement now, may I ask him to bear in mind that the Chinese Government regard the vexed question of Formosa as of much greater importance than a seat in the United Nations? When, ultimately, my right hon. Friend discusses this matter with the Canadian and American Governments, will he bear that important point in mind?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. That is one of the great problems of the whole subject.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerDoes the Prime Minister realise that until the Government of Pekin are given a seat in the United Nations, we shall be in breach of our obligations under Article 23 of the Charter? Will the right hon. Gentleman propose that the Assembly of the United Nations should ask the International Court to give an advisory opinion as to whether the seat should be attributed to the Government of Formosa or the Government of Pekin?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another question. If the right hon. Gentleman gives me notice of it, I will try to answer it.
§ Mr. G. CampbellIs not the present position nevertheless that Canada still recognises the Nationalist Government on Formosa?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, and I have read carefully what the Prime Minister of Canada said. He did not do more than point out the complexity and difficulties of this problem.
§ Mr. GaitskellDid not the Prime Minister of Canada call for a realistic review of Western policies and a recognition of the importance of bringing China into any major political settlement? Does the Prime Minister agree with the Prime Minister of Canada?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is quite another matter. The Prime Minister of Canada called for a realistic review of the situation. The right hon. Gentleman must know that a realistic review of the situation depends upon the whole general state of the world today and the position of the different Governments, and it would be folly at this moment for me to try to make any pronouncement on this matter.