HC Deb 13 June 1955 vol 542 cc259-60
27. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken under the Geneva Agreement to ensure that a meeting of the representatives of North and South Vietnam is held before July of this year to make preparations for the all-Vietnam elections to be held in 1956.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The Final Declaration of the Geneva Conference on Indo-China provides that consultations about general elections in Vietnam shall be held between the competent representative authorities of the two zones from 20th July onwards. It is not, of course, the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government to organise these discussions, but they naturally hope that they will take place.

Mr. Warbey

As 20th July is only five weeks away, and as there is no evidence of preparations for holding these consultations, will the Government take steps, possibly through the International Supervisory Commission, to see that arrangements are made for the appropriate consultations?

Mr. Macmillan

We are hopeful that these arrangements will be made.

Mr. Donnelly

When the right hon. Gentleman makes his report to the House on Wednesday, will he give a general survey of the current position in Vietnam to bring us up to date, as the minds of us all have recently been a little preoccupied elsewhere?

Mr. Macmillan

I will do my best.

Mr. Mayhew

Is not the responsibility of the Government a great deal closer than the Foreign Secretary has indicated in his reply? Is it not the fact that the Prime Minister is personally responsible for a great deal of the conclusions of this agreement and, with Mr. Molotov, was co-chairman of the Geneva Conference? Should not the British Government take a strong initiative to see that the agreement is carried out?

Mr. Macmillan

Of course, Her Majesty's Government are fully committed to the Final Declaration of the Conference, but it is not always wise to take all the initiative oneself. It is sometimes better to see that it is done by those who are primarily responsible, and in this case the primary responsibility lies upon the two authorities.