§ 65. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the proposed peace treaty with Japan; and whether he can assure the House that no decisions will be taken during the Whitsun Recess.
§ Mr. YoungerThe discussions I referred to in my answer to the hon. Member for Hitchin (Mr. Fisher) on 30th April took place in Washington on the official level from 24th April to 4th May. From reports so far received, the discussions appear to have been most useful. A number of issues have now been clearly defined and comments have also been received in the last fortnight from the Governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ceylon and South Africa. The results of these discussions are now being examined.
With regard to the second part of the Question the Japanese peace treaty is 181W being negotiated through the diplomatic channel, and when final decisions have been taken and a treaty has been agreed a copy of the document will be laid upon the Table before ratification in accordance with the usual procedure.