§ 18. Mr. Brockwayasked the Lord Privy Seal what action has been taken in the United Nations to prepare the conditions for a truce in the hostilities between China and India by negotiations through nations of the Afro-Asian group.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhile recognising that the United Nations itself is immobilised 25 by the exclusion of China and welcoming the British vote which was given on this issue recently, may I ask whether it is not infinitely desirable that steps should be taken to end this disastrous war, and are not the neutral nations the obvious source from which an initiative should be made?
§ Mr. HeathThe hon. Member is not quite correct in saying that the United Nations is immobilised in this matter because the Republic of China is not a member of the United Nations. In fact, a member of the United Nations could still take action on the matter in the United Nations. But this is obviously a matter in which the Government of India are greatly concerned. They are in diplomatic relations with the Republic of China. As we understand it, they are in contact with the Government of China over this matter.
§ Mr. BrockwayBut in order to be effective, must not action be taken not merely by initiative from India or China? Is it not desirable that there should be some offer of negotiation, and what better source of that offer than the neutral nations of the world?
§ Mr. HeathI fully respect the hon. Member's desire to bring this conflict to an early end. Indeed, I set out the Government's view in the debate on foreign affairs in the reply to the Address. At the same time, if other neutral countries like to take the initiative, as some of them already have done, it is up to them. But the Government's point of view is that we are in close touch with another Commonwealth country, such as India, the whole time. I think that the hon. Member must take account of the views which have been expressed.