§ 105. Mr. Longdenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the terms of the final settlement between Britain and Holland concerning Indonesia.
§ Mr. MayhewThere have been no negotiations between Great Britain and the Netherlands in regard to Indonesia. As my hon. Friend is aware, the British commitment in Indonesia which resulted from the liquidation of the war with Japan ceased when our forces were finally withdrawn on 30th November, 1946. If my hon. Friend is referring to the draft agreement which was initialled by the Dutch and Indonesian Delegations at Batavia on 15th November, 1946, the position is that this agreement was subsequently approved by a majority vote in the Dutch Parliament subject to the acceptance by the Indonesians of certain points of interpretation. These points have now been examined by the Indonesian Government who have announced that their delegation has been authorised to sign only the original draft agreement and the elaborations contained in the minutes and official correspondence between the two delegations. A further delay in signing the agreement is therefore considered probable.
While it is true that, at the request of both parties. His Majesty's Government authorised Lord Killearn to use his good 134W offices in bringing about the agreement which was initialled in November, we have in no way been a party to the actual terms of the agreement. At present the discussions are being conducted direct between the Dutch and the Indonesians.