SOUTH-EAST ASIA COLLECTIVE DEFENCE TREATY

HC Deb 13 May 1957 vol 570 c19

34. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations have taken place in recent months between parties to the South-East Asia Collective Defence Treaty under Article IV (2) of the Treaty.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

There have been no special consultations under Article IV (2) of the Treaty.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that when the Thai Government introduced martial law during their recent elections it was alleged that this was done following advice and recommendations from S.E.A.T.O.? Was this matter not, in fact, discussed between the parties to S.E.A.T.O.?

Mr. Lloyd

I shall have to look into that matter, and I will inform the hon. Gentleman of the result of my inquiries.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does not the Foreign Secretary realise that, in view of our link-up with S.E.A.T.O., it is highly desirable that we should not in any way be implicated in this form of martial law which has been applied in Thailand?

Mr. Lloyd

That may be so, but so far as the Question on the Paper is concerned, there have been no consultations of the sort.