HC Deb 13 July 1955 vol 543 c1913
17. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what subjects he discussed recently with the Minister without Portfolio of the Government of South Vietnam.

Mr. H. Macmillan

As these discussions were confidential, I am not in a position to give the hon. Gentleman this information.

Mr. Warbey

Will the Foreign Secretary at least say whether they discussed the question of the participation of the South Vietnam Government in the talks on the holding of elections, which under the Geneva Agreement are due to take place not later than next week? Have the South Vietnam Government agreed to participate in these talks?

Mr. Macmillan

I must ask the House to support me. If I were to conduct all conversations with ambassadors, visiting Foreign Ministers and other notabilities on the basis that they must be made public, that would make the position of the Foreign Secretary very difficult. At the same time, our position is very well-known, and we very much hope that the South Vietnam Government will enter into negotiations with the Government of North Vietnam—Vietminh—with a view to consultations regarding the holding of elections.