Secretary of State's Visit

HC Deb 29 November 1962 vol 668 cc632-3

3. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what proposals he is making to the Governments of Pakistan and India during his official visit there.

5. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a further statement about the assistance to be extended to the Indian Government during the continuing crisis.

Mr. Tilney

As the House is aware, my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary is at present visiting India and Pakistan. He hopes to make a statement about his visit on his return next week.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that there will be a widespread wish in all parts of the House that the Commonwealth Secretary should be able to bring India and Pakistan more closely together in view of the common threat that faces them both from the north, and also a widespread wish that it may be possible out of his visit to resolve the Kashmir crises between India and Pakistan?

Mr. Tilney

I believe it to be the hope of all that those who reside in the great sub-continent of India are aware of the menace that threatens them from the north and that in the light of that their own particular difficulties can be adjusted.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the hon. Gentleman say when we can expect a report on the activities of the Minister with regard to the matter to which my hon. Friend referred just now, and can we know in what way other than by military supplies this country can expect to help India?

Mr. Tilney

I think that it would be as well to await my right hon. Friend's return, and his report will be made as soon as he returns.

Mr. Blyton

Is the Minister aware that the policy of neutralism has failed in India, and will he use every endeavour to see that there is a settlement of the dispute between Pakistan and India, so that instead of playing with the Communist tiger and ultimately getting mauled we can get agreement between the two for a united defence of the northern frontiers of India?

Mr. Tilney

No doubt the hon. Gentleman has seen that my right hon. Friend has flown back from Pakistan to Delhi, and the points that he has raised must be very much uppermost in his mind.