HC Deb 19 December 1962 vol 669 cc1264-5
21. Mr. Greenwood

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make available in the Library of the House copies of the text and maps defining the frontier between China and India, which was negotiated and authorised by His Majesty's Government of the time.

Mr. Godber

The Agreement defining the McMahon Line, dated 24th March, 1914, and the accompanying map are available in the Library.

Mr. Greenwood

While thanking the Minister for his capitulation, may I ask whether he is aware that when I first sought to obtain access to these documents and the map, I was told that they were documents of State and that the 50-year rule applied to them? Is it not absurd to apply this rule to documents which are in the possession of both the Chinese and the Indian Government?

Mr. Godber

I am happy at least to be able to assure the hon. Member that the documents are in the Library and available to him.

Mr. Bottomley

Will the Minister consider showing on the map the relative positions of the Chinese and Indian troops in 1954 and today?

Mr. Godber

That is another question.

Mr. Greenwood

Does the Minister's answer mean that The Times was right?