§ LORD MAELORMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty' s Government whether they will make a statement as to their attitude towards granting China a seat in the United Nations in view of the more favourable attitude displayed by the Chinese Republic relative to foreign affairs.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have for many years supported the seating of the representatives of the People's Republic of China in the China seat in the United Nations. They did so again last year.
§ LORD MAELORMy Lords, I must thank the Minister for his most satisfactory reply, though it hurts me to say that from these Benches. Is he aware that President Nixon is apparently about to visit Peking, and could he persuade his right honourable friend to do likewise?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I have only seen what I suspect the noble Lord has seen in the Press regarding the possibility of the President visiting Peking. I have no knowledge 1186 at all whether or not it is correct. I have no doubt that my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has also seen the reports.
§ LORD SHINWELLMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether the Government, in supporting the proposal that the Chinese People's Republic should have a seat in the United Nations, have taken into account the position of Taiwan? Further, in view of the somewhat favourable situation that has developed at the present time with the Chinese People's Republic's more friendly attitude, may I ask whether the Government are taking into account the conversations that have been proceeding for some time and are, I understand, continuing between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. on the SALT talks? Would not the Government consider that although it is desirable that the Chinese People's Republic should be a member of the United Nations, at the same time a favourable conclusion of the SALT talks is of equal importance?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I quite agree with the noble Lord, although I think it is really a different question, that the successful conclusion of the SALT talks is of prime importance. In answer to the noble Lord's first question, may I say that he has put his finger on a difficulty regarding the Taiwan Government? That is something of which Her Majesty's Government are fully aware.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, is the noble Marquess not aware that the Secretary of State, Mr. Rodgers, made a very clear statement yesterday at the opening of the SEATO Conference that the United States Government very much welcomes the new atmosphere between China and the United States? In view of this very encouraging atmosphere, would it not be right for the United States and the United Kingdom Governments, with others at the United Nations, to do everything possible at the next meeting of the United Nations to see that China is admitted into the Assembly?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANYes, my Lords, I quite agree with what the noble Lord has said. We are all very pleased at the improvement in atmosphere between the Chinese People's 1187 Republic and this country, and indeed with the United States.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, can the noble Marquess say whether the admission of Communist China to membership of the United Nations will automatically qualify her for a permanent seat on the Security Council?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think I should require notice of that question.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while welcoming the new atmosphere, both in China and in America, may I ask whether the real issue is not likely to be the position of Taiwan, to which my noble friend referred? Would Her Majesty's Government consider the suggestion that there should be a period when there should be no representation of Taiwan at the United Nations, and, at the end of that period, a referendum of the people there to decide their future and their right to independence with, in such circumstances, membership of the United Nations? Is that not the real problem?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think the noble Lord is quite correct in pointing to the fact that this is a very difficult problem. I should not like to comment on his interesting suggestion, but I will certainly take note of it.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, will the noble Marquess also consider, with his right honourable friend, whether it would now be right at least to undertake discussions with the Government of the People's Republic of China to raise the status of our representation in China, and their representations here, to ambassadorial level?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think the noble Lord may know that we are in favour of an unconditional exchange of ambassadors with China, and have been for some time. I think we had better see how far we can get with this in the present atmosphere.