§ 5. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the part played by Her Majesty's Government in the negotiations between India and Pakistan and the prospects for a settlement of the dispute over Kashmir.
§ Mr. BottomleyI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 26th October to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall). I have nothing further to add to that reply.
As regards the Kashmir dispute, the hon. Member will be aware that the Security Council agreed in its resolution of 20th September to consider "the political problem underlying the present conflict". We must await the outcome of current discussions in New York in which Britain will, of course, continue to play a full part.
§ Mr. FisherHas the right hon. Gentleman himself any proposals for improving our relations with India and Pakistan, which, in the case of India, are probably worse now than they have been for 20 years? If an improvement can be achieved, does the right hon. Gentleman think that, sooner or later, a British or Commonwealth mediation initiative would be acceptable and helpful in reaching a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir problem?
§ Mr. BottomleyI express my gratitude to the hon. Gentleman for making suggestions of this kind to me personally after his return from India. I repeat what I said then. The matter is in the hands of the United Nations at present and we must leave it there, but these other proposals are not out of our minds.
§ Sir J. SmythWill the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Kashmir question has been before the United Nations 134 times in the last 18 years and, unless some entirely new approach can be brought to bear on it, there seems to be no possibility of any solution to the problem at all? Will he give his attention to that matter?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe Security Council has reaffirmed its intention to consider this matter, and we had better leave it there.