HC Deb 27 January 1958 vol 581 cc14-6
8. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take on the request, made by the International Commission for Supervision and Control in Vietnam, that the members of the Geneva Conference should take measures to facilitate the effective fulfilment of the Geneva Agreements.

37. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take, as Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference on Indo-China, on the matters referred to in paragraphs 11–17 of the Report, dated 12th July, 1957, of the International Commission for Supervision and Control in Vietnam, with particular reference to freedom of movement for Vietnamese civilians within the demilitarised zone.

Mr. Ian Harvey

Her Majesty's Government have noted these various recommendations and requests. The Co-Chairmen have, of course, no power to force either side in Vietnam to accept a particular suggestion. Her Majesty's Government do not believe that there is any initiative which they could effectively or appropriately take in the matter at the moment. In regard to the specific point about freedom of movement in the demilitarised zone, I have no doubt that the attitude of the Government of the Republic of Vietnam is dictated by their determination to prevent the entry of subversive or terrorist agents from the Communist North.

Mr. Brockway

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that that reply will be received with very great disappointment? Is it not a fact that the work of this Commission, which was established by the Geneva Conference to which we are a party, has, in many important respects, been absolutely suspended; that there are no free united elections—our influence on this is opposite to that in Germany; and that the Republic of Vietnam is declining to answer letters from the Com- mission, particularly about military aid from America? Surely, it is our duty to take some action on this matter.

Mr. Harvey

I think that a good deal of the information the hon. Gentleman has put over does not arise from his Question. Her Majesty's Government value the good work being done by the Commission in keeping down tension in Vietnam. The situation is, quite contrary to the hon. Gentleman's expression, much more satisfactory than it might have been.

Mr. Warbey

Has the hon. Gentleman really studied the Seventh Report of the International Commission? Has he looked at page 30 of that Report, in which the Commission unanimously comes to the conclusion that responsibility for the violation of Article 14 (c) of the Geneva Agreement—that dealing with the guarantee of democratic liberties—must be placed fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the South Vietnam authorities?

Mr. Harvey

Yes, I have studied the Report, but it does not make any difference to the Answer I have given.