§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, in connection with the supply of assistance to India in their current military situation— 882
- (a) What advice, if any, has been given by them to the Government of India to resolve quickly the Kashmir problem;
- (b) What is the current ratio of United Kingdom armament assistance to Pakistan and India respectively.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE, COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have for many years urged both the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to settle the Kashmir problem by mutual agreement. We have recently reiterated that advice, as my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations explained in another place on December 3. The nature of the solution of the Kashmir problem is a matter for the Governments of India and Pakistan. As my noble friend will no doubt be aware, a series of talks have been held recently between the two Governments with the object of finding a joint acceptable solution to this problem and these talks are to be resumed next month. In answer to the second part of the Question, there is no predetermined ratio of any sort between arms men assistance to Pakistan and to India.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, would the noble Duke make it clear that there is no connection whatever between the advice tendered by Her Majesty's Government, if asked for, about relations between Kashmir and India, and the supply of arms to India as the victim of Chinese aggression?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I think I have made that perfectly clear. They are two entirely separate issues.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, is the noble Duke correct when he says this is solely a matter for the Governments of India and Pakistan? Has not this master been before the United Nations for many years, and have not the United Nations actually got a force there at the moment? Would it not be more in line with India's claim to be one of the great peace-loving countries if she did far more than she has done in the past about settling this problem?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, that raises rather wider aspects, but I would stick to my guns when I 883 say that the British Government regard the matter of Kashmir as one to be settled between the two Governments of India and Pakistan.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, arising out of the first reply, and in the interests of peace and in view of the forcible acquisition of Goa, may I ask: would it not be appropriate that Her Majesty's Government should accelerate a settlement of this unfortunate dispute by relating it in some way to the willingness to supply arms?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I think I should make it quite clear to the House that the arms which have been recently given, or are to be given, to India are intended solely for use against China, and that is clearly understood by the Indian Government.