HC Deb 03 May 1965 vol 711 cc912-4
25. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now consider making an official visit to China, in view of the situation in South-East Asia.

Mr. M. Stewart

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighouse and Spenborough (Mr. Jackson) on 25th March this year.

Mrs. Short

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I point out that the situation has deteriorated since he gave his reply to my hon. Friend? Does he not think that, with the great prestige which he possesses, he would have considerable success if he were to visit China? As some countries of the Commonwealth have now become involved in the matter, which threatens to divide the Commonwealth, does he not think that it is time for him to make this approach?

Mr. Stewart

I would remind my hon. Friend—and I said this in answer to a previous Question—that we have had this disappointing refusal of the Chinese Government to accept Mr. Gordon Walker as my representative. I would also draw my hon. Friend's attention to what I said earlier. I do not think that at present I can add anything to what I said.

Mr. Marten

Would it not be more appropriate to send the Minister of Technology to China?

Sir A. V. Harvey

Before the Foreign Secretary makes up his mind whether to go or not, will he give an undertaking to the House that he will publish Mr. Gordon Walker's report or, if not, that he will make a detailed statement on it to the House?

Mr. Stewart

I shall certainly make a statement on it to the House. I will go no further than that.

Mr. Warbey

Would my right hon. Friend consider what his reply might be if the Chinese People's Republic were to ask him to receive a Chinese private citizen in order to discuss grave matters involving international crises at the present time?

Mr. Stewart

If I were asked to receive a personal representative of the Chinese Foreign Minister I should be very willing to do so—I mean, an appropriately accredited personal representative, such as Mr. Gordon Walker is. I certainly should not want to shut the door in such a situation.