INDO-CHINA (GENEVA CONFERENCE) (Hansard, 15 June 1954)

§ 47. Mr. Donnelly
asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the Geneva Conference.

§ 52. Mr. Harold Davies
asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the progress of the Geneva Conference.

§ The Prime Minister
The views of Her Majesty's Government on the present stage of the discussions at Geneva on Indo-China were set forth in the speech which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made to the Conference on 10th June. I am arranging for the text of that speech to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT together with that of his further speech on 11th June on the question of Korea. I understand that the main outstanding points of difference described in those speeches are still unfortunately unresolved. Since negotiations are proceeding at Geneva the House will, I am sure, not wish me to comment further upon the situation. I am glad to say that my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a full statement to the House on Tuesday next.

§ Mr. Donnelly
Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in view of the difficulties in France it may be better not to break off the Conference altogether but to postpone as much as possible any decision about the Conference itself until a new Government in France has been formed?

§ The Prime Minister
I am sure that that has been engaging the Foreign Secretary's mind to the full. On the other hand, one cannot really say that local political difficulties in any particular country should necessarily entail the definite prolongation of discussions with probable consequent arrest of other decisions.

§ Mr. Davies
Whatever may be said, will both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary endeavour to keep alive this Geneva Conference because, according to responsible opinion, it appears that the Indians have said that the breakdown of the Conference is not entirely due to Communist intransigence but that it is six of one and half a dozen of the other?

§ Mr. Bellenger
Does the Prime Minister's statement, that the Foreign 1736 Secretary is coming to this House to make a statement next week, mean that the Foreign Secretary is leaving Geneva, or is coming back on a temporary visit and returning after he has made his statement?

§ The Prime Minister
I cannot forecast exactly the uncertain course of the future, but the Foreign Secretary hopes to be and has every expectation of being in his place on Tuesday next, and of being able to make a full statement about what has happened up to date at Geneva on that occasion.