HC Deb 13 March 1950 vol 472 cc748-9
51. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reasons for the recognition by His Majesty's Government of the régime of Bao Dai; and if this recognition is de jure or de facto.

52. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with regard to the recognition of the Bao Dai régime in Indo-China.

75. Mr. H. Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make a statement on the recognition of the Bao Dai Government.

Mr. Younger

The fact of our recognition of the Governments of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia was stated in the Gracious Speech, to which I would refer my hon. Friends. Under the terms of the Franco-Vietnamese Declaration of 5th June, 1948, and of the agreement of 8th March, 1949, between President Auriol and His Majesty Bao Dai, Viet Nam has been established in accordance with French constitutional processes as an associate State within the French Union and His Majesty's Government have considered it proper to accord recognition to this status. They recognise the Government of Bao Dai as the de jure Government of Viet Nam. Similar considerations apply to the associate States of Laos and Cambodia.

Mr. Driberg

Has my hon. Friend noticed the discrepancy between reports from "The Times" correspondent on the spot in Indo-China and reports from "The Times" correspondents in diplomatic circles in Paris; and is he satisfied that there has not been considerable optimism in French official quarters about the extent of the influence of Bao Dai?

Mr. Younger

I should not like to speculate about the relative accuracy of different Press reports. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the status of this regime justifies the action taken.

Mr. Wyatt

Can my hon. Friend say whether he has had any representations from India and Pakistan in respect of this matter?

Mr. Younger

I do not think it is a question of representations. We have, of course, had numerous consultations.

Mr. Wyatt

Would my hon. Friend say what they are?

Mr. W. Fletcher

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if he accedes to the request made to him he will be delivering a very serious blow at Bao Dai and the French Government?

Mr. Fenner Brockway

Have the Governments of India and Pakistan followed the example of this Government in recognition of Bao Dai.

Mr. Speaker

That, surely, is not a matter for this Government.