§ Q11. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he will consult President Kennedy with a view to joint action by Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States to prevent the supply from Formosa of explosives and napalm through Hong Kong for use in Southern China.
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that all friendly Governments share our concern that Hong Kong should not be used as a base for sabotage against a foreign territory.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am grateful for that reply, but is the Prime Minister aware that this large-scale, dangerous 1486 and ridiculous Kuomintang banditry is carried out through Hong Kong by agents who are armed by the United States and trained by United States officers, and will not he suggest to President Kennedy that he should tell Chiang Kai-Shek that this must stop?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, we do everything we can to discourage this, including representations to our American friends if they have any responsibility—of which I was not aware. We are also, in consultation with the Governor, taking the most stringent action we can but, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, in this crowded city there are difficulties in catching the offenders. But the penalties are very heavy, and I am hopeful that we shall be able to stamp it out.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am very grateful to the Prime Minister for that answer, but is be aware that when I was in Hong Kong recently, I learned that this is a cause of very great anxiety and expense to the Hong Kong Government and police, and can be stopped only by the United States Government; and that if President Kennedy will say so, it will stop?
§ The Prime MinisterI am rather doubtful whether there is that degree of control by the American Government over the Formosa Government, but I shall certainly bear the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion in mind.