HC Deb 13 July 1955 vol 543 cc1913-4
29. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the situation in Indo-China in relation to the Geneva Agreement.

Mr. H. Macmillan

Her Majesty's Government are much concerned at recent events in Laos. Despite the International Supervisory Commission's unanimous decision upholding the right of the Royal Government to administer the two northern provinces, of which my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary informed the House on 6th July, the Communist Pathet Lao have recently launched a renewed attack on the Royal Government's troops in those provinces. Her Majesty's Government trust that the Pathet Lao do not now intend, in the face of the International Commission's decision, to prosecute their claims by force of arms.

In Vietnam there have been no significant developments since the survey given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 15th June.

Mr. Henderson

Would the Foreign Secretary make it clear that Her Majesty's Government attach the greatest importance to the maintenance of a position which would permit of the implementation of the provisions of the Geneva Agreement for the holding of free election in all the Associated States?

Mr. Macmillan

Yes. Her Majesty's Government are using all their influence with the Vietnam Government to ensure that consultations between the Vietnamese and the Vietminh should in fact take place from 20th July onwards, as provided in the Geneva Agreement. I do not think I can add to that answer except to say that we are doing all we can to ensure that those consultations should begin.