§ 2. Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now initiate further negotiations to seek an exchange of ambassadors between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Walter Padley)No, Sir. As I told my honourable Friend on 10th May, we have proposed this to the Chinese and been refused and I have no reason to suppose their position has since changed.
§ Mr. FreesonWith respect, that is not satisfactory. As it is now about eight months since the Government made this proposition—for which, of course, we should be glad, although we regret that the Chinese did not take it up—should we not seek to alter the position? Will 1165 my hon. Friend reconsider the matter and not leave things standing as they are in regard to our relations with a quarter of the world's population?
§ Mr. PadleyNo, Sir. We have made the position clear to the Chinese Government that we should like an exchange of ambassadors. Their reply up to now has been, "No". If there is a change of heart in Peking we shall be very glad.