HC Deb 17 April 1957 vol 568 cc1909-10
18. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Vietnam is still based on the full terms of the Final Declaration of the Geneva Conference.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The policy of Her Majesty's Government continues to be based on the Geneva Agreements of 1954, including the Final Declaration, in so far as they remain applicable to existing conditions.

Mr. Warbey

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman clarify that last phrase, in view of the fact that a statement made by Sir Robert Scott in January has thrown some doubt upon whether the British Government still support the policy of the reunification of Vietnam through free elections? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say clearly that the Government still support that policy?

Mr. Lloyd

It is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government that the reunification of Vietnam through genuinely democratic procedures should take place. Of course, those procedures must be agreed by the parties concerned.