HC Deb 18 April 1961 vol 638 cc969-70
36. Mr. C. Osborne

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his talks with President Kennedy on the admission of China to the United Nations.

The Prime Minister

This question came up in the course of our discussions on the future of the United Nations. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 13th April, it is a complicated matter on which our views are well known. We are equally aware of the United States position and it must be remembered that this question involves not only the seating of the Chinese People's Republic, but also the problem of Formosa.

Mr. Osborne

I recognise the difficulties of the problem, but would my right hon. Friend not agree that the peace of the world may well depend on agreement between America and China? Was anything said at Washington which could encourage the hope that a better understanding between those two countries will emerge?

The Prime Minister

The peace of the world depends on a great number of things, but I agree that this is an important matter. It is, however, not a very urgent matter, because it cannot arise until the autumn meeting of the United Nations.

Mr. Gaitskell

The right hon. Gentleman says that the views of the Government on this matter are well known. Will he clear up this matter? Is it the case that the Government consider that the credentials which are now awarded to the Government of Formosa should simply be awarded in the United Nations to the Peking Government? Is that their proposal?

The Prime Minister

No. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is more complicated than that. There is the question of the recognition of China, the question of what would be the result in the United Nations, the problem whether there might be two different countries represented, and the effect on the Security Council. All those are difficult problems, but our general position, I think, has been stated by my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and I think repeated in a long debate not very long ago in this House.

Mr. Gaitskell

It is because the Prime Minister said that the Government's views were well known that I asked the supplementary question. If he cannot do it by question and answer today, may I ask him to take an early opportunity of explaining to the country generally what the Government's precise views are on these various problems which, I agree with him, arise.

The Prime Minister

I will look at that, but I repeat that there is some time before it will be necessary to face the next stage of this problem which will be at the next autumn meeting of the United Nations.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the ordinary man in the street cannot understand why Her Majesty's Government gave recognition to Communist China and then at the United Nations suddenly voted against her being given her rightful place in that Assembly?

The Prime Minister

We have recognised the Chinese People's Government, but the question of the United Nations has for many years been dealt with by the voting on the moratorium, on which there has been a large majority and a number of abstentions. The question which has now to be decided is what procedure should be followed at the next meeting of the United Nations.