HC Deb 30 March 1965 vol 709 cc1377-8
17. Sir F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what official talks he has had with Sheikh Abdulla, the former Chief Minister of Kashmir, on his recent visit to this country; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bottomley

My only meeting with Sheikh Abdulla during his visit was on a private occasion. I had no official talks with him.

Sir F. Bennett

If the right hon. Gentleman did not have official talks, can I at any rate hope that his private talks were fruitful? I am sure he realises that Sheikh Abdulla is one of the few people in the world who have a measure of confidence of both the Indian and Pakistan Governments, that he came here with the consent of the Indian Government, and that if we are to reach a solution he can be very helpful in this matter.

Mr. Bottomley

He said that he wanted to promote a climate of opinion in which discussions could be carried on and all possible solutions considered.

18. Sir F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the taking of a new initiative towards the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

Mr. Bottomley

Her Majesty's Government have always hoped that the Kashmir dispute would be settled by agreement between India and Pakistan. That is still our hope. We stand ready to help in any way that might be acceptable to the parties concerned but, at the present time, there does not appear to be scope for an initiative on our part.

Sir F. Bennett

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that under a former Secretary of State some progress towards a settlement seemed to be being made shortly before Mr. Nehru's death and after the release of Sheikh Abdulla? Is he aware that all the tendencies now are for there to appear to be a deterioration rather than otherwise? Is it not about time that we made a fresh effort in this matter to carry on the momentum, with particular reference to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference this year?

Mr. Bottomley

No, Sir. I do not think that any unsolicited intervention on our part at this time would be helpful.