§ 2.37 p.m.
§ LORD KENNETMy 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 whether they will consider a solution to the problem of seating Taiwan in the United Nations, after or at the same time as the Government of the People's Republic of China is accepted as representing China in all its organs, modelled on the relationship between the representation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Ukraine and Byelo-Russia.]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, both the People's Republic of China and the Nationalists state that they are the sole legitimate Government of China and should rightfully occupy the China seat in the United Nations. The relationship between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Ukraine and Byelo-Russia therefore provides no parallel. A solution involving the seating of both the Chinese People's Republic and Taiwan seems unlikely to be acceptable to either.
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that while the logic of what he says is unassailable, yet political reality may in time point more in the sense of my Question?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his tribute to my logic. It is true that this is a very difficult question and one which has been discussed two or three times recently; but I think it is also true that at the moment there is very little likelihood of either the Chinese People's Republic or the Government of Taiwan agreeing to joint representation.
§ LORD SHINWELLMy Lords, I agree with the noble Marquess in his reply to my friend Lord Kennet because I appreciate the difficulty, and I agree there is no parallel in what has been suggested. But if we are seeking a solution—and sooner or later we shall have to do this because of the pressure exercised by various countries for the Chinese People's Republic to 355 become a Member of the Security Council—would it not be desirable for Her Majesty's Government to use whatever influence they possess to persuade the authorities in Taiwan to meet representatives of the Chinese People's Republic in an effort to find a solution by direct negotiation?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I will certainly undertake to consider what the noble Lord has said and to pass his comments on to my right honourable friend, but I am not very hopeful.
§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that we are all pleased at the rapproachement between China and the Western world; but can he visualise a situation in which China will sit in the United Nations, so long as Chang Kai-shek represents Formosa in the United Nations?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am not quite clear what the noble Lord means. I can visualise a situation in which the United Nations might vote for the admission of the Chinese People's Republic and under the present arrangements that would automatically involve the exclusion of the Taiwan Government.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, is it not quite inconceivable that Taiwan, which has enjoyed complete independence now for over 25 years, is ever likely to give up its independence without a struggle; and ought not the energies of Her Majesty's Government to be directed, now and in the future, towards the avoidance of any conflict?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANCertainly, my Lords. Naturally, that is what we should like to achieve if we can; but I am sure the noble Lord appreciates it is not an easy matter.
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, will the Government this year reverse their Vote on the question of whether the transfer of the Chinese seat requires a two-thirds majority or a simple majority, especially since they have, in effect, been opposing the entry of China last year; and even more so, if I may say so, because last time I raised the matter the noble Marquess seemed unaware that that had been his own policy?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that supplementary question. I can tell him that this matter is now under consideration, but it is a little too early for me to give him an answer.
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, can the noble Marquess go so far as to say that the Government will consider providing an answer before the United States has taken up its position in regard to this year's General Assembly? Why should we wait?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think the best solution would be for the noble Lord to put down a Question on this point after a further period of time.