§ LORD RANKEILLOURMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have anything to add to the statement on Burma made on July 24, more particularly as regards the protection of minorities and the position of European members of non-Secretary of State Services.]
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, His Majesty's Government are making the necessary preparations for the negotiation of provisional agreements with the Government of Burma on matters arising out of the transfer of power. In the field of defence, as I am sure the noble Lord will himself have noticed, a Mission left for Burma at the end of last week under the leadership of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for War. A3 regards the protection of minorities, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the noble Lord, Lord Rankeillour, on July 9. The safeguarding of the rights and future interests of the European members of the Services in Burma, other than those appointed by the Secretary of State is primarily an obligation for the Government of Burma. The noble Lord may, however, rest assured that their position will be raised in the discussions which will take place with the Government of Burma.
§ LORD RANKEILLOURMy Lords, if a provisional agreement has been referred, may I ask whether it will be made known and be open to debate before the necessary measure confirming it is brought in?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, none of these agreements can be finally ratified until they have been referred to His Majesty's Government, and until His Majesty's Government have had the approval of both Houses of Parliament.
§ LORD RANKEILLOURTo the agreement? Before a Bill is brought in to confirm it?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELI cannot say anything about the timing of the report of these matters to Parliament; that is a matter impossible for me to forecast. I can only assure the noble Lord that the constitutional position I have described will be most jealously safeguarded.