§ 41. Mr. Healeyasked the Prime Minister to what extent it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to work for the seating of the Peking Government at the next session of the United Nations.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Marsh) by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 1st. May.
§ Mr. HealeyReally, this is not satisfactory. Does not the Prime Minister recall that it is now six months since the Secretary of State said that it was the view of Her Majesty's Government that Peking should be seated at the United Nations? Is not it urgently necessary for Her Majesty's Government to take the initiative in trying to secure a majority in the Assembly for such a thing, in order to ensure that the conditions of Peking's admission are generally acceptable to the bulk of the Western Powers?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a hypothetical question. This cannot arise until the autumn. I think that the hon. Gentleman will realise that this is a complicated matter involving a great number of difficult questions. That does not mean that we do not want to see them resolved, but we have to take into account the general world situation and what it may be in September or October of this year.
§ Mr. HealeySurely, it is precisely because this is a complicated question involving a large number of difficult problems that it is urgently necessary for the Government to take the initiative in trying to organise talks among the parties concerned in such a decision, so that when the next session of the General Assembly does take place the Western Powers are not swept away into what 1678 might be an unwise form of decision through failure to plan for this event?
§ The Prime MinisterIt might be wise to take the initiative but I do not think that it would be right to take a public initiative.
§ Sir C. OsborneWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind, while recognising the immense difficulties internationally of getting agreement for Peking to be seated at the United Nations, that the people of China would rather have food, oil and machinery than a seat at the United Nations?
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerWill the Prime Minister represent to President Kennedy that the British Commonwealth has at least as great an interest in Asia as the United States, and that the Governments of the Commonwealth are unanimous in thinking that it is dangerous to delay any longer in giving the Chinese Government its legal rights?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that it is part of my duty to represent the views of other Commonwealth countries. As I said, our views are well known.