asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to expedite the ceasefire negotiations in Korea.

On 25th January the United Nations delegates tabled new proposals designed to speed up the armistice talks. These were accepted by the Communists, and as a result some progress is being made.

Could the Foreign Secretary give us some assurance that these proposals will not go through the same prolonged process of discussion as the previous ones; and is he aware that, if there were a ballot of the soldiers on the spot, they would vote for coming home tomorrow?

I cannot possibly give the hon. Gentleman any assurance because it depends on two parties as to whether agreement is reached. If I may express my belief, I think that probably the Communists do want an agreement; I am quite sure that the Americans do, so perhaps we shall reach one. I trust so.